Posted on 10/31/2021 7:05:02 AM PDT by mylife
This week, it was strawberry Pop-Tarts — with a lawsuit claiming damages over what it calls "deceptive" marketing by Kellogg's of its pastries that contain just as much apple and pear as strawberry.
Before that, there were the fudge lawsuits, with claims against Keebler and Betty Crocker and others over "fudge" cookies and baking mixes that contained no milkfat.
And of course, the 120 or so vanilla lawsuits, each alleging that consumers have been duped by companies marketing "vanilla" products that contain little to no actual vanilla bean.
If the flavor on the label doesn't match the ingredient list, that may lead to a lawsuit.
These suits and scores of others were all filed by the same lawyer, a New York-based plaintiffs' attorney named Spencer Sheehan. In recent years, Sheehan has filed more than 400 lawsuits targeting products in almost every aisle of the grocery store, all alleging that corporations are misleading consumers with claims on advertising and packaging that, Sheehan says, don't hold up to scrutiny.
His prolificacy has almost single-handedly caused a historic spike in the number of class action lawsuits against food and beverage companies — up more than 1000% since 2008 — in an effort that has vexed food companies and won respect from consumer advocacy groups.
(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...
Look to more than a few FReepers that buy into these sort of lawsuits for additional reasons including advancing their particular agenda.
Several FReepers who are against COVID-19 vaccination like to splash an image on threads that mentions J&J manufactured baby powder that causes cancer. Even though there has never been a demonstrated link to talc baby powered causing cancer. Why? To beat up on J&J. To advance their particular agenda.
This guy needs a fruitcake flavor…
You’d better sit down for this news, FRiend: THERE ARE NEITHER GRAPES NOR NUTS IN GRAPE NUTS!!!!!!
According to the article, he usually settles with the company he’s suing, he gets a nice cut of the settlement, and the company is protected from future lawsuits. It’s a win/win for the company and the lawyer, not so much for the consumer. It’s almost like it’s an arranged deal.
On one hand, you have food companies trying to figure out how to maximize profits and minimize costs. Defending against vexatious litigants is obviously costing them money and this single lawyer is the source of a sizable chunk of their legal fees to defend their marketing claims... or more accurately their perceived, intimated, or hinted about marketing claims.
On the other hand, you have a chisler lawyer who is using his government license to sort through marketing materials and FDA definitions of what certain foods can legally be called (many of which wouldn’t exist except for those same companies lobbying government bureaucrats to demand that certain food products contain X or not Y because they wanted to use the government as a cudgel to keep their own market position).
He’s not representing any real public service, the companies being sued will simply stop selling unprofitable products or raise costs because of the litigation, and if the companies want to keep selling their inferior products, they’ll change their marketing or lobby more for industry carveout language with the FDA.
He’s also picking ridiculously trivial claims. He could be making a difference in this world, but no, he’s suing snack packs for using skim milk instead of whole milk. He’s not suing Nike for knowingly using slave labor to make shoes, or Tyson Foods for turning a blind eye toward illegal immigration in their meat processing plants.
In the end, the lawyers on both sides get rich and the consumers get bupkus.
imagine that.
As for “vanilla”, the flavor of vanilla comes from the molecule “vanillin” and is actually quite independent of the vanilla bean. It is found in charred wood for example.
Many vanilla extracts come from wood processing or coal mining, not necessarily from the vanilla bean.
One example of frivolity by this attorney.
Ah, but that gravel that is sold as GN is as bitter, hard-to-chew, and indigestible as the seed inside a natural grape.
Close enough.
I had French-Canadian meat pie once, and to my chagrin, I discovered that it was not made with real French-Canadians. I distinctly tasted anglophone.
Should I sue?
Betcha this guy got beat up a lot as a kid
If you're looking for 100% strawberry pop tarts, just read the ingredient list. Class action lawsuit because it also contains apple or pear is just stupid.
The Republicans are going to lead with tort reform the moment they take back the house and senate next year, under the false narrative that the people want to have less rights to sue because its so costly. Which is contradictory to the constitution, you have a right to sue because it falls under the right to petition government for the redress of grievances.
They like tort reform because it prevents Americans from holding big business responsible for their products that injure or kill. Especially big Pharma. Which EVERYONE in Washington makes money off of.
The Democrats like tort reform too, but its easier for them to sit back and let the Republicans take the hit, and use it as a political football on the next election cycle.
What ever happened to that whole talcum powder is evil campaign? That was recent during this COVID craze! Lots of lawyer ads on TV telling you to call and get your share from anyone that sold talcum powder!
Now that I think of it, I don’t see as many for a good while.
“Ah, but that gravel that is sold as GN is as bitter, hard-to-chew, and indigestible as the seed inside a natural grape.”
I like Grape Nuts, good for the digestion and keep things moving along. That’s a good thing.
Johnson & Johnson to End Talc-Based Baby Powder Sales in North America.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/business/johnson-baby-powder-sales-stopped.html
How much fig is in a Fig Newton!
Tastes like wild hickory nuts.
And now Joe does Medicare commercials.
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