Unilever United States, Inc. offers a product under the Hellmann’s brand that purports to be a mayonnaise dressing “With Olive Oil.” But the complaint for this class action alleges that the product name and advertising leads consumers to expect the product to contain more olive oil than it does.
Two classes have been defined for this action:
- The New York Class is all persons in New York who bought the product during the applicable statutes of limitations.
- The Consumer Fraud Multi-State Class is all persons in Arkansas, Iowa, Utah, and Montana who bought the product during the applicable statutes of limitations.
Mayonnaise is a thick, creamy sauce or dressing that is used on sandwiches and salads or as a basis for other condiments, such as tartar sauce and Russian dressing.
According to the complaint, the demand for mayonnaise has fallen in recent years. One reason is that it is considered to be an ultra-processed food.
Another reason, the complaint claims, is that it used to be made with fresh, natural ingredients but is now made of “mostly vegetable oils and water, a small amount of eggs, with numerous additives, synthetic preservatives, and added salt…”
Third, the complaint says, “there is a perception that mayonnaise is used to conceal flaws in the foods to which it is applied.”
The complaint details other reasons, including that the vegetable oils used “are recognized as containing harmful amounts and types of fat.”
However, the complaint claims that olive oil is in demand, outselling other vegetable oils for a number of reasons:
- It has more flavor than other vegetable oils.
- It has “high levels of heart-healthy fats, such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat, which help control cholesterol.”
- It “contains antioxidants, which promote immunity, and fight free radical damage…”
- It “promotes brain function, bone strength, and balanced blood sugar.”
- It has components that are “linked to prevention of skin, breast and colon cancer.”
The product has a green front label, features the words “Olive Oil” on it in a large font, and bears an image of two green olives and two leaves. Because of these things, the complaint claims, “consumers expect it contains a significant, non-de minimis amount of olive oil, in relative and absolute amounts to all oils used.” However, the complaint claims that these impressions are misleading.
Page 4 displays an image of the ingredient panel. The first three items on the ingredient list are “Water,” “Soybean Oil,” and “Olive Oil.” The complaint alleges, “The relative amount of olive oil is de minimis and is insufficient to confer any of the health benefits associated with olive oil.”
The complaint therefore alleges, “The value of the Product … was materially less than its value as represented by” the company.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Too Little Olive Oil in Hellmann’s Mayonnaise “With Olive Oil” Complaint
March 16, 2022
Unilever United States, Inc. offers a product under the Hellmann’s brand that purports to be a mayonnaise dressing “With Olive Oil.” But the complaint for this class action alleges that the product name and advertising leads consumers to expect the product to contain more olive oil than it does.
Too Little Olive Oil in Hellmann’s Mayonnaise “With Olive Oil” ComplaintCase Event History
Too Little Olive Oil in Hellmann’s Mayonnaise “With Olive Oil” Complaint
March 16, 2022
Unilever United States, Inc. offers a product under the Hellmann’s brand that purports to be a mayonnaise dressing “With Olive Oil.” But the complaint for this class action alleges that the product name and advertising leads consumers to expect the product to contain more olive oil than it does.
Too Little Olive Oil in Hellmann’s Mayonnaise “With Olive Oil” Complaint