BELLEVILLE — A proposed class action suit alleges a Sara Lee brand of blueberry waffles are falsely labeled as free of artificial flavors and preservatives.
Haunah Vanlaningham, individually and on behalf of all similarly situated current citizens of Illinois, filed a complaint March 22 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Sara Lee Frozen Bakery LLC, alleging violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, unjust enrichment and breach of express warranty.
Vanlaningham alleges in the class action complaint that Sara Lee Frozen Bakery's Van's Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles are labeled as "no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives" when it actually contains the artificial preservative citric acid. She claims that while citric acid is "found naturally" in citrus fruits, the "food-grade" citric acid contained in the waffles is a commercially-manufactured food additive. Vanlaningham further alleges Sara Lee's labeling on the waffles "creates the false impression" and "has the tendency" to mislead consumers. She also argues that the product's marketing is "unfair, false and deceptive." The plaintiff claims consumers consume and pay for waffles that are "worth less than they were represented to be."
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The plaintiff class seeks monetary relief, interest and all other proper relief. They are represented by David Nelson of Nelson & Nelson Attorneys At Law PC in Belleville and Matthew Armstrong of The Armstrong Law Firm LLC in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 21-L-0275