Labeling is a critical part of food safety in the U.S. Food labels are also important marketing tools for food producers. There has always been a fine line between legitimate marketing and misleading claims. Recently, class-action lawsuits tied to misleading food labels have become a dominant trend in the food and beverage industry.
Food Labels Under Increased Scrutiny
Litigation over allegedly deceptive food labeling has grown significantly in the last several years. Class actions against food and beverage companies increased by more than 30% in 2020 compared to the previous year.
What’s driving it? One explanation is that consumers are more focused than ever on origin claims, natural/healthy designations, “no GMO,” and other label signals that may influence purchase decisions. State and national regulators have taken notice too, cracking down on labeling compliance and introducing new legislation or regulations to make labeling more transparent.
Plaintiffs’ attorneys are using state consumer-protection statutes, unjust enrichment claims, and nationwide class certifications to challenge large producers, making this a high-stakes arena for brand risk.
Notable Brands & Cases
It’s not just niche brands making unique claims that are the subject of recent lawsuits. Major brands have also been impacted.
Kraft Heinz – Mac & Cheese
A federal judge ruled that the maker of the iconic macaroni and cheese product must defend claims alleging mislabeling of “No Artificial Preservatives” when synthetic preservatives (like sodium phosphates) were allegedly present.
Chobani – “Zero Sugar” Yogurt
Chobani successfully defended a proposed class suit claiming that its “Zero Sugar” yogurts misled consumers by including allulose, a sweetener the FDA does not count as sugar. The court held that the label complied with existing regulations.
Barilla – “Italian-Made”
A putative class action in the Northern District of California alleged that consumers were misled by packaging that implied “Italian-made pasta” when many products were actually produced in the U.S. The court certified a class of purchasers.
Wheat Thins – “100% Whole Grain”
The maker of Wheat Thins, Mondelez International, agreed to pay a $10 million settlement to resolve claims over its “100% whole grain” labeling. The lawsuit alleged that the label was misleading because the product also contained refined grains.
Looking Ahead
As consumer expectations evolve and transparency becomes non-negotiable, food labeling is no longer just a marketing issue, it’s a legal one. The wave of class actions targeting “natural,” “origin,” and “health” claims underscores that even subtle wording can carry major liability.
For brands, proactive compliance reviews and honest communication are risk-management essentials. For attorneys, this growing field offers new challenges at the intersection of advertising, consumer protection, and regulatory law. One thing is certain: in 2026 and beyond, what’s printed on the box may matter as much as what’s inside it.
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