A federal judge has allowed a class action lawsuit against Kraft Heinz to move forward, challenging the "No Artificial" claims on their Mac & Cheese packaging. Consumers should be aware of potential mislabeling and the broader implications for food industry transparency.
A federal judge has allowed a nationwide class action lawsuit to proceed against Kraft Heinz, challenging the company’s “No Artificial Flavors, Preservatives, or Dyes” labeling on its Mac & Cheese products.
Lawsuit Fundamentals
Plaintiffs and Jurisdiction
Plaintiffs: David Hayes, Kamilah Galbreth, and Taylor Ambroisno
States Represented: Illinois, California, and New York
Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Presiding Judge: Mary M. Rowland
Core Allegations
The lawsuit centers on two primary ingredients:
Synthetic Citric Acid
Derived from Aspergillus niger (a type of black mold)
FDA guidance characterizing citric acid as a preservative
Court Ruling Highlights
Judge’s Key Determinations
Plaintiffs have “adequately alleged” that ingredients function as preservatives
Claims are plausible enough to proceed to trial
Rejected request for new product labels
Allowed claims related to consumer protection and unjust enrichment
Kraft Heinz’s Defense
Company’s Official Statement
“Generations of families have enjoyed KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese, which contains no artificial flavors, preservatives, or dyes. We stand fully behind our product and are proud of its quality. We strongly believe that this lawsuit has no merit and look forward to our day in court.”
Legal Arguments
No proof of artificial preservatives
Ingredients are not considered artificial by reasonable consumers
Challenged the plaintiffs’ standing
Potential Implications
For Kraft Heinz
Potential financial penalties
Reputational risk
Potential requirement to modify marketing practices
For Food Industry
Increased scrutiny of food labeling
Potential precedent for similar consumer protection cases
Market Context
Over 1 million Kraft Mac & Cheese boxes sold daily in the U.S.
Lawsuit part of broader trend challenging food labeling accuracy
Next Steps
Case will proceed to trial
Potential for settlement or further legal proceedings
