Panera Class Action Lawsuit Claims Sprouted Grain Bagel Flats Contain Only ‘Trace Amounts’ of Sprouted Grains

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges Panera has misled consumers about its sprouted grain bagel flats since they are made mostly with “less-healthy, non-sprouted grains” and contain only trace amounts of their key advertised ingredient. 

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The 19-page Panera lawsuit claims the fast-casual restaurant chain has deceived consumers into believing sprouted grains are the exclusive or primary source of grain in the bagels at issue. The filing contends that consumers would not have bought Panera’s sprouted grain bagel flats, or would have paid less for them, had they known the bagels consisted mostly of “conventional, non-sprouted grains,” with very little actual sprouted grains.

Per the complaint, “sprouted grain blend” is listed last in the Panera Sprouted Grain Bagel Flats ingredients list, meaning the item consists of more salt and yeast than actual sprouted grain flour. Specifically, the bagel flats likely consist of less than 0.4 percent actual sprouted grains, the case calculates. 

“As such, the advertising of the Product as ‘sprouted grain’ is false and deceptive,” the lawsuit states.

The suit contends that the impression that the Panera bagel flats have sprouted grains as their main source of grain is critical to consumers when making a purchasing decision. In particular, sprouted grains contain fewer starches, have lower carbohydrate content, are easier to digest, and have a lower gylcemic index in comparison to regular grains, the case notes. 

“In contrast, the processed wheat and white flour, primarily used in the Product by Panera, is stripped of its nutritional components, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals, thus offering minimal nutritional value,” according to the suit. 

The lawsuit looks to cover California residents who, within the applicable statute of limitations period, bought a sprouted grain bagel flat from Panera. 

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