French’s Mustard Class Action Lawsuit Challenges Made in USA Claims

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A proposed class action lawsuit claims McCormick & Company, Inc. has falsely advertised that French’s mustard products are made in the United States.

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The 34-page lawsuit was filed by a California resident who says the products he bought—namely, French’s Honey Dijon Mustard, Yellow Mustard and Dijon Mustard Made with Chardonnay—were labeled as “Crafted and Bottled in Springfield, MO, USA.” However, the case alleges that these and other French’s mustard products labeled with similar “Made in USA”  claims are misrepresented, given they contain mustard seeds sourced primarily, if not exclusively, from Canada.

In addition, some of the items—including French’s Yellow Mustard—are made with turmeric, another ingredient imported from outside the U.S., the complaint contends.

The filing charges that McCormick has failed to properly disclose the use of foreign-sourced ingredients in violation of federal labeling regulations and California law.

According to the class action suit, some of the products at issue also feature a prominent front-label claim that they offer “American Flavor in a Bottle,” which the lawsuit argues reinforces the representation that the items and their ingredients are of U.S. origin.

As a result of the misrepresentation, consumers have paid a premium price for items they were tricked into believing are U.S.-made and of higher quality than comparable products that contain foreign ingredients, the French’s mustard lawsuit alleges.

Per the suit, consumers like the plaintiff would not have purchased French’s mustard products had they known the items were deceptively advertised and contained significant ingredients sourced from outside the U.S.

The lawsuit looks to represent anyone in California who, in the past four years, purchased one or more French’s mustard products whose packaging included “Crafted and Bottled in Springfield, MO, USA” or similar language and that were made with or contained ingredients or components that were not grown or manufactured in the U.S.

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