Pepperidge Farms’ GMO Goldfish Brings Latest Lawsuit for Misuse of ‘Natural’ Claims
In what’s becoming a rather regular occurrence, another dissatisfied customer has sued a food manufacturer over what they claim is the fraudulent use of the word “natural” in marketing a product containing genetically modified foods.
Pepperidge Farms, the manufacturer of the popular Cheddar Goldfish snack crackers is facing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit from Florida resident, Lisa Leo over the GMO ingredients in its products.
Leo, an elementary school teacher, filed the lawsuit because she claims the product is being falsely advertised by Pepperidge Farms. Leo is seeking class-action status and more than $5 million in damages for reimbursement to Florida residents who have purchased the crackers (since 2009), which contain ingredients made from genetically modified soybeans.
Leo is also asking that Pepperidge Farms be ordered to update their labels to reflect the GMO ingredients or remove the natural claims, the Sun Sentinel reports. “Consumers have a right to know what they’re putting in their bodies,” said Joshua Eggnatz, Leo’s Weston-based attorney. “You may not think GMOs are bad for you, but others may, and the consumer has a right to know and to choose.”
While no federal regulations currently exist for the use of the term “natural” on foods that contain GMOs, there have been a number of lawsuits filed against some of the most popular food brands over misuse of the term recently. Tropicana, Frito Lay, PepsiCo, and ConAgra are just some of the food manufacturers who have been targeted by consumers over using natural to describe GMOs. The World Health Organization defines GMOs as not occurring naturally.
Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger
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