EAST ST. LOUIS — A consumer alleges the frozen TGIFriday's Crunchy Fries do not actually contain potatoes.
Phyllis Spell, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint Nov. 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois Benton Division against Inventure Foods Inc., alleging violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and other claims.
Spell alleges in her complaint that the defendant's TGIFriday's brand of Crunchy Fries Snacks baked Cheddar Cheese flavored fries are almost entirely made from corn meal instead of potatoes. She alleges potato flakes are the fourth ingredient listed in the fries and not sliced potatoes. Spell claims the defendant's product name is false, deceptive and misleading and that consumers purchased the product for "materially less than its value as represented."
Spell claims the defendants misrepresented and omitted the product's ingredients and quality and used the "iconic TGIFriday" brand to take advantage of consumers and induce people into purchasing the product. Spell alleges she and consumers who purchased the fries would not have paid as much for the product if they had known the "true facts" regarding the ingredients.
Spell seeks monetary relief, trial by jury, interest and all other proper relief. She is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC in Great Neck, N.Y.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois Benton Division case number 3:21-CV-01426