Unilever United States Inc. faces a class-action lawsuit alleging that its Hellman’s brand mayonnaise dressing misrepresents it is “With Olive Oil,” despite the fact that it contains very little olive oil.
Plaintiff Laura Hite claims that mayonnaise consumption has declined over the past two decades. She points out a few factors that could explain the decline in sales: mayonnaise’s reputation as unhealthy, ultra-processed food, and the wide range of alternatives available in supermarkets.
According to Hellmann’s lawsuit, condiments such as salsa, hummus, and guacamole “are often served fresh, contain healthy ingredient and appeal to consumers who seek to avoid processed foods.”
Hellmann’s class action cites growing consumer demand for products containing olive oil
According to Hellmann’s mayonnaise lawsuit, olive oil is not processed with chemicals like most vegetable oils. Olive oil is also made without harsh processing or additives. Olive oil is rich in heart-healthy fats, antioxidants, and oleic acids, which provide health benefits.
Hite claims that olive oil sales currently surpass all other vegetable oils, in the Hellmann class-action lawsuit.
Hite claims Unilever sells Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Dressing as a way to appeal to consumers who want to eat healthier foods like olive oil.
Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Dressing labels prominently state that the product was made “With Olive Oil” and include pictures of two olives perched on a branch with leaves. This is a class action lawsuit highlights. The ingredients list does not reveal that soybean oil is the predominant oil in this product.
Hellmann’s mayonnaise lawsuit claims that the Hellmann mayonnaise product contains too much olive oil to provide many health benefits comparable to olive oil.
Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Class Action Says Olive Oil Content Misrepresentation Constitutes Fraud
Hite claims that she bought Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Dressing With Olive Oil because she believed it was made primarily with olive oil, based on what the label claimed. She says that if she knew the product was mislabeled as having olive oils as the predominant ingredient, she wouldn’t have bought it or paid less.
She claims Unilever capitalized on Hellmann’s brand reputation as the “golden standard for mayonnaise”, and its reputation for quality, in order to lure consumers to buy the allegedly mislabeled product.
Plaintiffs in the Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Dressing With Olive Oil class-action lawsuit allege breach of contract, violation of state consumer fraud laws, breaches of express warranties and implied warranties of merchantability, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and unjust enrichment.
Are you a Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Dressing With Olive Oil customer? Do you think this class action lawsuit will affect your future purchase of Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Dressing With Olive Oil? We want to hear your opinions in the comments!
Spencer Sheehan, Sheehan & Associates PC represents Hite
The Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Dressing Class Action Lawsuit is Laura Hite v. Unilever United States Inc., Case No. 7:22-cv-02188, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, White Plains.
from lawyers.buzz https://lawyers.buzz/hellmanns-mayonnaise-dressing-class-action-lawsuit-filed/200/
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