Eggland's Best in a Scramble: Class Action Lawsuit Cracks Open Saturated Fat Claims

Have you ever stood in the egg aisle at your local grocery store, pondering over which carton to pick? If you're like many health-conscious shoppers, you might have reached for Eggland's Best, enticed by the promise of "25% less saturated fat than regular eggs." It seems like a no-brainer, right? Healthier eggs that can help keep your cholesterol in check. But what if that claim wasn't all it was cracked up to be?

Cracked claims

A proposed class action lawsuit is stirring up more than just omelets. Filed in federal court in Chicago this week by plaintiff Richard Vilchis, this lawsuit challenges Eggland's Best's bold nutritional claims.

According to Vilchis, Eggland's Best eggs are not the heart-healthy option they're made out to be. The complaint alleges these eggs contain more saturated fat than the company claims, citing independent testing by San Francisco-based Anresco Laboratories. The results? A whopping 2.84 grams of saturated fat per 50-gram serving, far exceeding the 1 gram Eggland's Best advertises and even surpassing the 1.5 grams found in "regular" eggs.

Health at the heart

Saturated fats, found naturally in foods such as meats, dairy, butter, and certain oils, contrast with the lower levels present in vegetables and whole grains. The American Heart Association advises keeping saturated fat intake to no more than 6% of total daily calories, which translates to 13 to 17 grams for a typical diet of 2,000 to 2,500 calories.

But the issue here isn't just about fat content; it's about trust. The Eggland’s Best class action lawsuit highlights how consumers, including Vilchis, feel duped into paying more for eggs they were led to believe were healthier. According to Reuters, the complaint denounces the marketing claims as "false, misleading, and deceptive," arguing that "no reasonable consumer would interpret Eggland's Best's on-label representation about saturated fat content to mean that the products actually contain more saturated fat than 'regular eggs.'"

Echoes of the past

This isn't the first time Eggland's Best has been in hot water over health claims. Back in 1996, the company settled with the Federal Trade Commission, paying a $100,000 civil fine over cholesterol-related claims. Fast forward to today, and it seems history might be repeating itself, but with a new nutritional focus.

The lawsuit is pursuing damages under Illinois consumer fraud laws and deceptive trade practices and looking to include egg purchasers nationwide, excluding California. The plaintiffs are seeking not just a legal remedy but also a shift toward greater transparency of health claims in the food we consume.

As consumers, we're left to wonder: how many other accepted truths about our food might not be as solid as they seem? This case may be about more than just eggs; it's about the expectation of truthfulness in the marketplace. As the case moves forward, one thing is clear: consumers are ready to demand that truth, one carton at a time.

The plaintiff and proposed class are represented by P. Renee Wicklund of Richman Law & Policy.

The Eggland's Best class action lawsuit is Vilchis v. Eggland's Best Inc et al, Case No. 24-02073, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.