dailyloe.com – A class-action lawsuit filed Thursday in California alleges Trader Joe’s deceptively advertised its French Roast Low Acid whole bean coffee. Four plaintiffs who purchased the product claim the grocer failed to disclose it contained less caffeine than typical coffee products.
The lawsuit states that testing shows the French Roast Low Acid coffee contained half the caffeine of a regular blend. It was not labeled accordingly, the suit claims, leading consumers to believe it was fully caffeinated.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs claim it is common practice to indicate caffeine content only when a process reduces it. The suit states that full caffeinated coffee does not have special labeling, but decaf and half-caff coffees are labeled as such.
Consumers rely on caffeine to fuel their work and personal lives, the suit claims. It states that coffee drinkers depend on caffeine for energy, and the amount affects purchasing decisions.
A low-caffeine drink would not suffice for regular coffee drinkers, the lawsuit adds. It states that consumers would pay less for a half-caff product if they chose to purchase one.
Plaintiffs are seeking damages and for Trader Joe’s to stop selling the product through misleading marketing. Trader Joe’s did not immediately respond to CBS News’ request for comment.
