Heinz Vinegar Contains Hidden GMOs, Class Action Lawsuit Says

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The H.J. Heinz Co. was hit with a putative class action lawsuit on Monday accusing the company of using corn containing genetically modified organisms in its vinegar  that it advertises as “all natural.”

The lead plaintiff, California resident Debbie Banafsheha, alleges in the Heinz vinegar class action lawsuit that H.J. Heinz Co. deceptively labeled its vinegar as “all natural” and violated California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act and unfair competition and false advertising laws, as well as breached express warranties.

Banafsheha points out in her GMO class action lawsuit that “Defendant prominently labels its Heinz Distilled White Vinegar as ‘all natural,'” and “[b]y consistently labeling the Products as ‘all natural,’ Defendant ensured that all consumers purchasing the Products would be exposed to its ‘all natural’ claim.”

Banafsheha also claims that Heinz advertises that its vinegar is made from “sun-ripened grain and crystal clear water.” However, “Defendant sources its ingredients from U.S. commodity suppliers who supply [genetically modified (GM)] crops.”

The World Health Organization defines genetically modified organisms as “organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally.'” Banafsha also points out in her class action lawsuit that “large volume food manufacturers who wish to use non-GM ingredients must specifically source their crops, typically from Europe, or undertake the additional step and expense of purchasing and verifying the supply from non-GM growers through identity preservation programs,” and “[i]n most instances, manufacturers who purchase only non-GM crops for their products specifically label the products ‘non-GMO.'”

The Heinz vinegar class action lawsuit states that Banafsheha purchased the products several times over the past four years in reliance on Hienz’s representations that the products were “all natural.” She say she would not have purchased the products if they didn’t contain the word “all natural” prominently displayed on the label.

According tot he class action lawsuit, “the market for all natural foods has grown rapidly in recent years, a trend for which [Heinz] seeks to take advantage through false advertising.”

Banafsheha seeks a court order requiring Heinz to cease the unlawful marketing and conduct an advertising campaign informing consumers of the true nature of the vinegar product, as well as punitive and statutory damages. Banafsheha also seeks to certify a class of individuals who also relied on Heinz’s marketing claims. Heinz is a company located in Pennsylvania.

The plaintiff, Debbie Banafsheha, is represented by Tina Wolfson, Robert Ahdoot, Theodore W. Maya and Bradley K. King of Ahdoot & Wolfson PC.

The Heinz Vinegar GMO Class Action Lawsuit is Banafsheha v. H. J. Heinz Company, Case No. 2:14-cv-02023, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.