BELLEVILLE — Several consumers filed a class action against Dr. Pepper soda manufacturers for allegedly falsely advertising their ginger sodas.
Heather Erwin, Janet Childers, Julie George and Frank Levitt, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint on Oct. 29 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc., Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. and Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Inc., alleging they violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege the defendants prominently represented that the sodas are made from real ginger while they contain citric acid, preservatives and natural flavors.
As a result of the defendants' alleged deceptive practices, the plaintiffs allege they were damaged for purchasing the defendants' ginger sodas at a higher price than what it actually represents.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek an order certifying this case as a class action. They also seek an award for compensatory damages, interest, attorney's fees, costs and all other relief deemed just and proper. They are represented by David C. Nelson of Nelson & Nelson, Attorneys at Law PC in Belleville, Matthew H. Armstrong of Armstrong Law Firm LLC in St. Louis and Craig D. Cherry of Haley Olson PC in Waco, Texas.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 18-L-688