Ancient Organics, LLC makes a ghee product, where the label on the back of the jar says, in big letters, “Eat Good Fat.” The complaint for this class action alleges that the side labels make other claims for the healthy nature of the product, but do not tell the whole story because, it says, they omit mandatory disclosures that would reveal that the ghee contains high amounts of saturated fats, which can increase the risk of health problems, including coronary heart disease.
The Nationwide class for this action is all persons who bought the product in the US within the applicable statutes of limitations. Also proposed are a California Class and a Multi-State Consumer Class for those who bought the products in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Washington.
Page 8 of the complaint shows images of the product, including the front and back labels and a side panel. The side panel states, “Ancient Organics Ghee is the very best fat one can eat. Use this superfood to nourish your mind, body and soul.” It also claims that the oil “provides sustained energy levels” and contains “Omega 3, 6, 9, Vitamins A, D, E & K.”
The complaint alleges that the “Eat Good Fat” claim “represents to consumers that the fat contained in the Product is good for them, and thus the Product is healthy and healthful.”
But the complaint claims that the labels are deceptive and misleading because they “omit[] the disclosure statement concerning the high levels of saturated fat as required for products that make nutrient content claims and also have high levels of saturated fat.”
In fact, the complaint alleges that 64% of the fats in the product are saturated fats. A single serving of the ghee, the complaint claims, has nine grams of saturated fat, which the complaint alleges “equals the amount of saturated fat in three large orders of McDonald’s fries.” These fat levels, the complaint claims, “exceed thresholds of concern” set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The complaint contends that the labeling of the ghee product make misrepresentations because they “fail to reveal facts that are material in light of other representations made or suggested” for the product.
Under the law, the complaint alleges, “a claim that characterizes the level of a nutrient” of a certain type must follow regulations that permit the use of such a claim. For the ghee, the complaint alleges, this means directing consumers to look at the nutrition information for the fat content.
Also, for a company to use the term “healthy” or related terms, the complaint claims, the food must satisfy certain “conditions for fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and other nutrients.” Among other things, the complaint claims, it must be low in fat and low in saturated fat, which the ghee product is not.
The complaint alleges that the ghee product does not make the required disclosures or meet the required conditions.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Ancient Organics Ghee Saturated Fat and Labeling Complaint
June 17, 2022
Ancient Organics, LLC makes a ghee product, where the label on the back of the jar says, in big letters, “Eat Good Fat.” The complaint for this class action alleges that the side labels make other claims for the healthy nature of the product, but do not tell the whole story because, it says, they omit mandatory disclosures that would reveal that the ghee contains high amounts of saturated fats, which can increase the risk of health problems, including coronary heart disease.
Ancient Organics Ghee Saturated Fat and Labeling ComplaintCase Event History
Ancient Organics Ghee Saturated Fat and Labeling Complaint
June 17, 2022
Ancient Organics, LLC makes a ghee product, where the label on the back of the jar says, in big letters, “Eat Good Fat.” The complaint for this class action alleges that the side labels make other claims for the healthy nature of the product, but do not tell the whole story because, it says, they omit mandatory disclosures that would reveal that the ghee contains high amounts of saturated fats, which can increase the risk of health problems, including coronary heart disease.
Ancient Organics Ghee Saturated Fat and Labeling Complaint