San Francisco, CA: Pinnacle Foods Group, the makers of Hungry-Man frozen dinners, is facing a federal consumer fraud class action lawsuit alleging the products contain trans fatty acids, despite the fact that their labels claim otherwise.
The US Food and Drug Administration has required that conventional foods declare the trans fat content on a separate line within the "Nutrition Facts"label on their packaging, since January 1, 2006. However, the Hungry-Man class action alleges that Pinnacle Foods Group failed to disclose the trans fat content within its food, in violation of both state and federal law. The lawsuit is seeking in excess of $5 million in damages for consumers misled into purchasing the mislabeled products.
According to the lawsuit, "Consumption of trans fat has been exclusively linked to the development of coronary heart disease, and numerous studies have linked trans fat to increased risk of obesity and diabetes, among other maladies."
The lawsuit further claims "Defendant has in the past, and as of the date of filing, continues to manufacture and distribute processed food products that mislead consumers by failing to disclose the presence and amount of trans fat thereinÂ… As a result of these misleading, unfair and deceptive practices, Defendant has made millions (if not billions) of dollars at the expense of the health of American consumers who are not armed with the information necessary to make informed and healthy dietary decisions."
The consumer fraud lawsuit is brought on behalf of all US consumers who purchased Pinnacle' food products, including but not limited to Hungry-Man frozen meals, which failed to declare the presence of trans fat. It alleges violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act and other state consumer protection statutes, negligence, negligent and fraudulent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment.
