A U.S. federal judge said Kraft Heinz must face a proposed nationwide class action alleging that it defrauded consumers by claiming its Kraft macaroni and cheese, one of its best-known products, contains no artificial preservatives.
In a decision on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland said the Illinois, California and New York consumers leading the lawsuit plausibly alleged that Kraft Mac & Cheese contained a synthetic form of citric acid that differed from the natural variety, and also contained sodium phosphates.
The Chicago-based judge said the plaintiffs specifically alleged that the ingredients functioned as preservatives, making Kraft Heinz’s claim of “No Artificial Flavors, Preservatives or Dyes” on labels false, and cited academic studies and U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidance to support their case.
“These allegations are enough to withstand a motion to dismiss,” she wrote.
Rowland agreed with Kraft Heinz that the plaintiffs lacked standing to demand new labels …