Class Action Lawsuit Claims Sprouts’ ‘Pure’ Avocado Oil Contains Canola Oil

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A proposed class action lawsuit against Sprouts Farmers Market alleges the supermarket chain has falsely advertised its private-label avocado oil as pure.

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According to the 22-page lawsuit, the packaging of Sprouts-brand avocado oil “unequivocally” represents that the product contains solely avocado oil and no other ingredients. Independent testing, however, has revealed that the product is adulterated with canola oil, the case claims.

Per the filing, scientists at the University of California at Davis found that Sprouts was among several major retailers in the United States whose avocado oil products were made with cheaper alternatives despite being marketed as pure. Indeed, the suit notes that Sprouts’ avocado oil is sold at $0.50 per fluid ounce, while its canola oil retails for only $0.29 per fluid ounce.

The complaint alleges the defendant fails to disclose that the product is adulterated with other oils, misleading consumers into believing they are purchasing a higher-quality product than they actually are. Avocado oil, the case says, is known to be one of the healthiest cooking oils with one of the highest smoke points.

“Regardless of whether consumers believe avocado oil is superior to other oils, the issue of whether the avocado oil is pure or is adulterated is material to reasonable consumers,” the class action lawsuit states. “For example, consumers may be allergic to, or have other reasons for not consuming, certain oils.”

The plaintiff, a California resident, says he would not have bought Sprouts’ avocado oil, or he would have paid less for it, had he known the product was mixed with canola oil.

“Thus, [the plaintiff] has suffered injury in fact and lost money as a result of Sprouts’ misleading, false, unfair, and deceptive practices,” the case alleges.

The Sprouts lawsuit looks to represent anyone who purchased Sprouts-brand avocado oil in the United States within the applicable statute of limitations period.

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