TGI Fridays Onion Rings Snacks Misleadingly Labeled, Class Action Claims

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action lawsuit claims the maker of TGI Fridays-brand “Onion Rings Snacks” has misled consumers as to the amount of onion in the product.

The 10-page lawsuit, filed against Inventure Foods, Inc., asserts that consumers who view the representations on the product’s packaging will “get the false impression” that the snack contains onions in an appreciable amount when, in reality, the product is fried corn meal with added onion powder.

The complaint out of Illinois federal court relays that the Onion Rings Snacks’ ingredients list reveals that corn meal is the first ingredient, followed by vegetable oils and onion powder. According to the case, onion powder has a flavor “ten times stronger than real onions” yet lacks the flavor profile of “real onion flavor” given it is made with only parts of an onion, i.e., the bulb.

“Since each part – bulb, root, stem, and skin – contributes unique flavor and aroma compounds, onion powder is unable to provide the ‘oniony’ flavor appreciated by consumers,” the complaint argues.

The case claims onion powder and the natural and artificial flavors added to the product to “mimic the taste of real onions” are unable to match real onion flavor because they “lack the delicate balance of flavonoids critical to onions.” Per the suit, the “faux-onion taste” of the snacks, in combination with added caramel coloring that contributes a darker brown color, leads consumers to incorrectly believe that the product contains more real onions than it actually does.

The lawsuit notes that although the onion rings snacks’ front label states “Natural and Artificially Flavored,” this statement is written in small font that is difficult for consumers to read, and as such buyers will “pay it little mind.”

The defendant, the case argues, has been able to sell more of the product and at higher prices due to the allegedly misleading packaging representations.

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