Kroger Settlement Overview
Kroger Co. has reached a $1.25 million settlement with the State of California due to false advertising claims regarding misrepresented calorie counts on its Carbmaster bread products.
Key Details:
- Who: The Kroger Co. agreed to the settlement with California prosecutors.
- Why: Allegations stated that Kroger displayed false calorie counts on its various bread products since 2021.
- Where: The lawsuit was filed in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
Background:
Prosecutors from Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Riverside counties filed the lawsuit, claiming that Kroger inaccurately presented calorie information for several Carbmaster bread products, including Wheat Bread, White Bread, Multi-Seed Bread, Hamburger Buns, and Hotdog Buns.
The miscalculations reportedly began as early as November 2018, even though the Carbmaster line launched in 2021. Consumers had raised concerns, prompting Kroger to correct the FDA Nutrition Facts panel; however, they continued displaying inaccurate counts on packaging for at least six months.
Specific Misrepresentations:
- Carbmaster Hamburger Buns labeled at 50 calories were actually 100 calories.
- Wheat Bread labeled at 30 calories was actually 50 calories.
Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch emphasized the importance of truthful food labeling for consumer health.
Legal Proceedings:
Kroger faced sanctions in both federal and state courts for $9,800 and $12,750, respectively, related to non-compliance with discovery orders.
While Kroger has agreed to the settlement, they have not admitted any wrongdoing.
Additional Context:
This settlement adds to Kroger’s recent $17 million payment related to allegations of inflated co-payments for insured prescription drugs.
Comments:
What are your thoughts on this Kroger false advertising settlement? Let us know in the comments!
For more information, the case is titled People of the State of California v. The Kroger Co. in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
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