Genius Caffeine Extended Release Supplement Misrepresented as Better Than Regular Variety, Class Action Claims

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action alleges PacificNorthwest Naturals has misrepresented its Genius Caffeine Extended Release supplement given the product is in no way superior to standard regular-release caffeine pills. 

The 20-page case contends that although PacificNorthwest Naturals touts the Genius Brand Caffeine Extended Release supplement as superior to its regular-release counterparts as far as boosting metabolism, increasing focus and accelerating calorie burning, a peer-reviewed study has “found no difference” between extended-release caffeine supplements and those that are regular-release. 

“Worse yet, Defendant charges a price premium for the Product based on the representations that the Product is superior to standard caffeine supplements,” the complaint says. 

Per the lawsuit, PacificNorthwest Naturals claims the Genius extended-release caffeine supplement is “different than every other caffeine pill on the market because it’s sustained release, ultra-pure NEWCAFF.” Thus, the case says, PacificNorthwest Naturals affirms that the supplement “provides true sustained energy that stimulates thermogenesis, accelerating the rate at which your body burns calories.” 

Moreover, the supplement is also touted as able to “continuously provide desired alertness,” in addition to aiding with concentration, the suit relays. 

According to the complaint, however, PacificNorthwest’s representations are false given a peer-reviewed Journal of Sports Science and Medicine study found that the “efficacy of time-release caffeine capsules appears to be no different than regular-release caffeine capsules.” Further, the study found the caffeine supplements and time-release caffeine supplements administered during the study did not alter metabolic measures, the case says. Lastly, the study revealed there was no significant increase in feelings of energy, alertness or focus among those who ingested time-release caffeine capsules when compared to those who ingested regular-release supplements, the lawsuit states. 

“In short, Defendant’s representations that the Product ‘increas[es] metabolism and fat loss,’ ‘accelerates the rate at which your body burns calories,’ ‘increas[es] resting metabolism and fat loss,’ and provides ‘all-day focus and energy’ more so than a regular-release caffeine supplement are false and misleading,” the filing alleges. “The Product does not improve metabolic measures, energy, or focus more than regular-release caffeine supplements, if at all.”

The suit argues that consumers would not have bought the Genius Caffeine Extended Release supplement, or would have paid substantially less for it, had they known PacificNorthwest’s representations were untrue. 

The case looks to cover all consumers in the United States who have bought the Genius Caffeine Extended Release supplement. 

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