Lakanto Lawsuit Alleges ‘Zero Net Carbs,’ ‘Zero Calorie’ Claims for Monkfruit Sweeteners Are False

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A proposed class action alleges the maker of Lakanto Monkfruit Sweeteners has deceived consumers by falsely claiming that the sugar substitutes have “zero net carbs” and are “zero calorie,” among other apparent misrepresentations.

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The 18-page suit claims that, in truth, neither the Classic nor Golden sugar replacement products are zero-carb and zero-calorie as advertised. The case accuses Lakanto of taking advantage of those with diabetes and others in search of healthier desserts and sweet foods by deliberately misrepresenting the nutritional value and health benefits of the Monkfruit Sweetener line of products, namely by marketing the sweeteners with “incorrect and manipulated serving sizes.” 

“Defendants knowingly used unreasonably small serving sizes that fail to account for the manner in which consumers actually use the Products,” the suit alleges.

According to the Lakanto lawsuit, the four-gram serving size the company has used for the products is lower than the reference amount that is customarily consumed, i.e., the serving size required by federal and state law. Second, the suit says, Lakanto “purposely” tries to motivate consumers to use amounts of the sweeteners that exceed the serving size listed on the products’ nutrition panel. 

As a result, Lakanto misleads buyers into thinking that the sweetener substitutes “lack the harmful side effects of sugar,” thereby increasing profits at the expense of unwitting consumers. 

“In reliance on Defendants’ misleading marketing and deceptive advertising practices for the Products, Plaintiff and similarly situated class members reasonably thought they were purchasing a substitute sweetener alternative to sugar that provided these nutritional benefits and value for the human body,” the lawsuit summarizes. “In fact, neither Plaintiff nor any of the member [sic] of the putative class received any of the health benefits, nutritional value or food composition they reasonably thought they were buying.” 

Consumers seek out sugar substitutes to avoid the harmful side effects of traditional white table sugar, the case relays. Moreover, consumer demand for sugar replacements has ballooned as diabetes rates increase nationwide, the filing says. 

In light of this and the rising health epidemics of obesity, diabetes and other conditions, Lakanto has “embarked on a long-term advertising campaign” to mislead consumers into believing its products are healthier alternatives to traditional sugar, the lawsuit alleges. 

In truth, four grams of the Lakanto products at issue contain 4.8 grams of net carbohydrates and five calories, the case states. Per the suit, these numbers “refute” the information Lakanto has printed on the products’ nutrition panels and front label.

The lawsuit looks to cover all New York residents who bought the Lakanto Classic or Golden Monkfruit Sweetener for personal or family use at any time since October 9, 2016. 

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