Class Action Challenges ‘No Artificial Flavors or Preservatives’ Claim on Welch’s Light Grape Juice

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action claims Welch Foods, Inc. has misled consumers by falsely advertising its Welch’s Light Grape Juice as free from artificial preservatives.

Want to stay in the loop on class actions that matter to you? Sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter here.

The 23-page lawsuit alleges that despite the packaging claim that the product has “No Artificial Flavors or Preservatives,” the juice, in fact, contains ascorbic acid—a synthetic ingredient often used as a preservative in beverage products.

Ascorbic acid, which the case says is decidedly synthetic, is plainly recognized as a preservative by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the suit relays. According to the complaint, the additive acts as an antioxidant, which helps preserve color and freshness in foods.

The filing contends that the juice’s representation is misleading because ascorbic acid functions as a preservative even if used in small amounts or added for another purpose.

The plaintiff, a California resident, says she has purchased the grape juice numerous times with the belief that it contained no artificial preservatives. The woman claims she would not have paid as much for the product, or bought it at all, had she known it was actually made with the synthetic additive ascorbic acid.

The lawsuit looks to represent anyone who purchased Welch’s Light Grape Juice for personal use within California during the applicable statute of limitations period.

Get class action lawsuit news sent to your inbox – sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter here.