WASHINGTON—General Mills is under fire for its use of partially hydrogenated oil in its fruit snacks. The class action complaint states that the company’s marketing campaign for Fruit Roll-Ups, Fruit by the Foot and other fruit snacks included “misleading statements that its products were nutritious, healthful to consume, and better than similar fruit snacks," when in fact, the complaint continues, the “fruit snacks contained trans fat, added sugars, and artificial food dyes; lacked significant amounts of real, natural fruit; and had no dietary fiber. Thus, although the Products were marketed as being healthful and nutritious for children and adults alike, selling these Fruit Snacks was little better than giving candy to children." The complaint was filed in federal court in Calif. by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and the Reese Richman law firm on behalf of a California mother.
“General Mills is basically dressing up a very cheap candy as if it were fruit and charging a premium for it," said CSPI litigation director Steve Gardner. “General Mills is giving consumers the false impression that these products are somehow more wholesome, and charging more. It’s an elaborate hoax on parents who are trying to do right by their kids."
The complaint contends that the labeling of fruit-flavored snacks violates various state laws, including Minnesota’s Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and several California laws governing misleading and deceptive advertising and fraudulent business practices.
