A lady has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Kraft Heinz, alleging that the $10 Velveeta Shells and Cheese Cups take longer to prepare than the stated 3 1/2 minutes.
The class action lawsuit was filed against Kraft Heinz Foods Company on November 18 in the Miami Division of the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida by Amanda Ramirez of Hialeah.
In the lawsuit, it is stated that the label’s assertion that the food is ready in the time specified is false and misleading, as the plaintiff anticipated and expected the food to be done in 3 1/2 minutes.
The lawsuit also cites the four steps required to cook the meal and asserts that the ready time is “simply the time required to execute one of multiple tasks,” namely removing the lid and cheese sauce packet, adding water, microwaving, and stirring.
In the microwaving process, the package states that the product should be heated for 3 1/2 minutes, but the lawsuit claims that the time listed might be interpreted as the complete time required to prepare the meal, including the time required to combine the water and cheese sauce.
The lawsuit does not state how long it took Ramirez to prepare the cups for consumption, nor does it state the correct time required to make the product.
The lawsuit also addresses the price of the meal, claiming that the ‘premium price’ of $10.99 before tax for eight 2.39-ounce cups is greater than comparable products that are’represented accurately’
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff wishes for their grocery dollars to stretch as long as feasible. In addition, people look for big assertions of value when selecting food.
The Kraft Heinz Company stated, “We are aware of this meritless litigation and will vigorously defend ourselves against its charges.”
People were amused by the lawsuit online, with one person writing: ‘Now In Ridiculous News – A Florida woman, Amanda Ramirez, of Hialeah, filed the class-action lawsuit on November 18th, seeking over $5 million from the parent company of Velveeta Shells & Cheese for their misleading’ready time.’ of 3 1/2 minutes.’
In response, another user said, “Thank God I’m not the only one who thinks this is dumb as hell.”
A third individual wrote, “Amanda Ramirez of Hialeah is this week’s idiot of the week… Hey Amanda, here’s a hint!! If the item does not suit your requirements, DO NOT PURCHASE IT!!!
And a fourth stated, ‘Anything to make a buck – good luck with the legal fees’
It follows a $5 million class action complaint filed against Kellogg’s last year, which accused the company of deceiving consumers about the fruit content of its frosted strawberry Pop-Tarts by claiming they include few genuine strawberries.
According to TMZ, Elizabeth Russett of New York accused the food giant of padding strawberry Pop-Tart filling with cheaper pears and apples.
Additionally, it tried to compel Kellogg’s to alter its allegedly deceptive Pop-Tart labels.
It is not the first time that strawberry Pop-Tart components have been scrutinized.
In a related case filed in August of last year, it is alleged that the labeling on strawberry Pop-Tarts are deceptive because they promise to include more strawberries than they actually do.
The federal class action lawsuit was brought by Anita Harris in Illinois. In addition, the ingredient list indicated that strawberries make up “less than 2 percent” of the product, along with pears and apples.
In the lawsuit, Harris, who wished to represent the plaintiffs, stated that strawberries are favored by customers but are more expensive than apples and pears.
The Harris complaint noted, “Whether a toaster pastry has only strawberries or some strawberries and a large number of other, less valued fruit ingredients is basic front label information customers rely on when making rapid judgments at the grocery store.”
The lawsuit continued, “The Product’s common or usual name, “Frosted Strawberry – Toaster Pastries,” is false, misleading, and deceptive because its filling contains a relatively significant amount of nonstrawberry fruit ingredients — pears and apples — listed in the ingredient list.”
According to the lawsuit, a scientific investigation of Pop-Tart filling revealed that it contained far more non-strawberry fruit than genuine strawberries.
In addition, the lawsuit argued that the use of red 40 food coloring deceived consumers by making it appear that Pop-Tart filling includes more strawberries than it actually does.
According to the complaint, competitor brands of toaster pastries, such as Walmart and Dollar General’s store brands, inform consumers that they are “naturally and artificially flavored.”
Because Kellogg’s ‘exclusively promotes strawberries’ on its Pop-Tarts labels, consumers are likely to be deceived into ‘thinking it is of higher quality than it actually is,’ according to the lawsuit.
»Florida woman files $5 million lawsuit against Kraft Heinz«