When you buy non-alcoholic beer, do you expect it to contain alcohol? No, says the complaint for this class action—yet, it alleges, Beck’s Non-Alcoholic Beer does. The class action brings suit against Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., the company that makes the beer, for false and misleading advertising.
The class for this action is all persons living in California who bought Beck’s non-alcoholic beer believing that it does not contain any alcohol, between January 15, 2017 and the date the class in this case is certified.
The complaint for this class action contends that there are two different categories of non-alcoholic beer. The first, it says, is “alcohol free” This should contain no detectable levels of alcohol, or 0.0% alcohol by volume (ABV). The second may be called “non-alcoholic,” but it may contain up to 0.5% ABV. The complaint alleges, “All non-alcoholic beers with any detectable amount of alcohol fall into the second category.”
Where does the Beck’s product fall? The complaint says, “Beck’s beer is a malt beverage which contains some alcohol[,] less than 0.5% ABV but higher than 0.0% ABV, and is made by the process of alcoholic fermentation.”
Why does such a small amount matter?
One of the plaintiffs in this case, Charley Karpinski, is a recovering alcoholic who does not want to consumer any amount of alcohol. The complaint says, “Researchers have shown that drinking non-alcoholic beer can sharply increase blood alcohol level in certain instances, as well as lead some individuals to test positive for alcohol metabolites in their urine or breath.” This may be made even worse by the fact that some non-alcoholic beers contain more alcohol than their labels promise.
The other plaintiff in this case, Denise Angiano, was pregnant and later breastfeeding when she chose the non-alcoholic beer. If a woman drinks while she is pregnant, it can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This may lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which may involve behavioral and mental disabilities. At this time, it is not known how much is required to have bad effects on a child. Also, consuming alcohol while breastfeeding can cause slow weight gain an failure to thrive. No amount of alcohol in breast milk is considered “safe.” Newborn babies can process and eliminate alcohol from their tiny bodies at only about half the rate of an adult.
Unlike with some non-alcoholic beers, bottles Beck’s do not show the warning, “contains less than 0.5% by volume,” which must be displayed in sufficiently visible way. The complaint alleges that Anheuser-Busch has not displayed the warning at all on its Beck’s bottles and packages. The complaint claims that this leads consumers to believe that Beck’s does not contain any alcohol at all.
The counts include negligent and intentional misrepresentation, among other things.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Beck’s Non-Alcoholic Beer Contains Alcohol California Complaint
January 15, 2021
When you buy non-alcoholic beer, do you expect it to contain alcohol? No, says the complaint for this class action—yet, it alleges, Beck’s Non-Alcoholic Beer does. The class action brings suit against Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., the company that makes the beer, for false and misleading advertising.
Beck’s Non-Alcoholic Beer Contains Alcohol California ComplaintCase Event History
Beck’s Non-Alcoholic Beer Contains Alcohol California Complaint
January 15, 2021
When you buy non-alcoholic beer, do you expect it to contain alcohol? No, says the complaint for this class action—yet, it alleges, Beck’s Non-Alcoholic Beer does. The class action brings suit against Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., the company that makes the beer, for false and misleading advertising.
Beck’s Non-Alcoholic Beer Contains Alcohol California Complaint