February 4, 2010 A class action lawsuit has been brought against The Kellogg Company for allegedly engaging in deceptive advertising practices regarding its Nutra-Grain Bars it claims are healthier to eat because of their ingredients.
The company is being sued in the US District Court of Southern California for violations of the Lanham Act, Unfair Competition Law, Common law of Unfair Competition, False Advertising Law, and the Consumer Legal Remedies Act. In their adverts, the company suggests that Nutri-Grain bars allow you to ‘Eat Better All Day’ because they contain calcium and whole-grains, but the plaintiffs insist that those claims are invalidated by the presence of trans-fats, which contribute to diabetes and heart disease.
This is part of an ongoing industry-wide practice of adding supplements (in the form of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients), often accompanied by high levels of sugar, and promoting these products and juice drinks as being healthy food choices. Michael Pollan speaks directly to this marketing practice in his book, In Defense of Food, and also in this short video for CUpS: Food News before a live audience.
