Class Action Claims Log Cabin ‘All Natural’ Pancake Mix Contains Synthetic Ingredient, Refined Grains

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A proposed class action alleges packages of Log Cabin-brand “All Natural” pancake mix are misleadingly labeled in that the product contains a synthetic ingredient and less whole grain flour than consumers are led to expect.

The 14-page lawsuit claims that the Log Cabin pancake mix, made by defendant Conagra Brands, is not “All Natural” as represented on product packaging since it contains baking soda that is not naturally prepared. Moreover, the suit argues that although the product’s packaging represents that the pancake mix is a “good source” of fiber and “made with whole grains,” the amount of whole grain in the mix only “slightly exceeds” the amount of refined grains, which provide less nutrition and fiber.

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Per the case, Conagra has violated food labeling regulations and caused consumers to overpay for the Log Cabin pancake mix based on the allegedly false packaging representations.

The lawsuit contends that the “All Natural” statement on the front label of Log Cabin pancake mix leads consumers to believe that the product contains only natural ingredients, i.e., those that have not been formulated or manufactured by a process that “chemically or fundamentally changes a substance.”

Contrary to these expectations, however, the pancake mix contains sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, the suit says. Per the complaint, baking soda is prepared, in part, by adding carbon dioxide to soda ash. Reasonable consumers, the lawsuit says, would not view the addition of carbon dioxide as a natural process. In addition, there are “commercially and technologically feasible” methods for producing baking soda that don’t involve the addition of carbon dioxide, the case says.

The filing goes on to claim that although the Log Cabin pancake mix is advertised as being a “good source” of dietary fiber and made with whole grain, it contains less whole grain than represented. Per the suit, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration stipulates that any food represented as being a “good source” of a particular nutrient must contain between 10 and 19 percent of the recommended daily intake or daily recommended value per reference amount customarily consumed.

The case claims the Log Cabin pancake mix is not, in fact, a good source of fiber given it only contains one gram of fiber per serving, or four percent of the daily value.

Moreover, the suit argues that although the product’s packaging highlights the presence of whole grains, it does not disclose the percentage of refined grains relative to whole grains. Consumers would thus “be unaware” based on packaging representations that the estimated amount of whole grains is only slightly more than the amount of refined grains in the product, per the case.

Consumers who are attempting to increase their whole grain consumption in accordance with dietary guidelines “will be unsuccessful” in ensuring that half of the grains they consume each day are whole grains, the lawsuit argues.

Finally, the complaint relays that the Log Cabin pancake mix’s ingredients list states “evaporated cane sugar,” which is another name for sugar. Per the suit, consumers who are attempting to avoid heavily processed sugars would be misled by this description into thinking the ingredient is “a better type of sweetening ingredient.”

The case looks to represent anyone in New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Arkansas, Utah, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana or North Dakota who purchased the Log Cabin pancake mix within the applicable statute of limitations.

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