Class Action Says McDonald’s Misrepresents Source of Vanilla Flavor for Ice Cream Cones

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A proposed class action out of New York claims that despite McDonald’s representations to the contrary, the restaurant chain’s “vanilla” ice cream cones are not flavored exclusively with real vanilla.

According to the 34-page complaint, which echoes a recent trend of lawsuits that challenge the labeling of certain brands of vanilla ice cream, McDonald’s fails to disclose that the flavor of its ice cream product comes not from “the characterizing vanilla flavor,” but from non-vanilla sources. The case alleges that customers, upon viewing the defendant’s description of the “vanilla” product absent any mention of artificial flavors, expect that the ice cream’s flavor is derived exclusively from vanilla beans. The complaint expounds on this claim, stating:

As the case tells it, however, McDonald’s vanilla ice cream fails to match this description. According to the suit, the product is flavored not with real vanilla, but with other non-vanilla sources, as evidenced by the ice cream’s ingredients list:

The case argues that the product’s “Natural Flavor” ingredient is, in fact, a combination of several non-vanilla flavors that “extend, simulate, enhance and resemble vanilla.” Reasonable consumers, the suit claims, would be misled by McDonald’s representations into paying more than they otherwise would have for a product that does not contain premium vanilla flavor.