Case Overview: A class action lawsuit has been filed against Kinder, alleging the company's "No Salt" seasoning products contain potassium chloride and are therefore misleadingly labeled.
Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased Kinder's "No Salt" seasonings.
Court: Superior Court Northern District of California
Kinder’s is facing allegations of deception in a new lawsuit, with a consumer accusing the company of tricking diners into believing the “No Salt” labeling on its seasoning products when they in fact contain salt.
According to the lawsuit, the seasonings in question include No Salt Garlic & Herb, No Salt Blackened, and No Salt The Taco Blend. While they are all labeled as having “No Salt,” one of their main ingredients is potassium chloride—a type of salt, the lawsuit contends.
“Kinder’s engages in unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent business practices by expressly representing on its Product labels that the Products have “No Salt,” which misleads consumers,” the lawsuit alleges.
Arizona resident Mark Blosser filed the proposed class action lawsuit claiming that Kinder’s engages in unfair and deceptive business practices. Blosser said he, along with many consumers, was tricked into purchasing the products under false pretenses, relying on the “No Salt” claim prominently displayed on the product’s label.
Believing the product was entirely salt-free, Blosser later discovered that it contained potassium chloride, a well-known salt substitute, the lawsuit states. Had he known the truth, Blosser said that he would not have bought the product or would have paid significantly less. As a result, Blosser alleges that he was misled and financially harmed and says now he would have a hard time buying Kinder’s products in the future, as he can no longer trust the accuracy of their labeling.
Potassium chloride is a salt, defined as an ionic chemical compound formed by replacing the hydrogen ions of an acid with metal ions. Though commonly referred to as “potassium chloride” in food contexts, it is still a type of salt, similar to sodium chloride (table salt).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows food manufacturers to use the term “potassium salt” as an alternative name, recognizing that it functions similarly to sodium chloride.
While Kinder’s “No Salt” claim might be technically true in that the product contains no sodium chloride, the inclusion of potassium chloride means the claim is misleading to consumers who interpret “No Salt” to mean no salt of any kind.
As health consciousness rises, more consumers are seeking food products with reduced salt content. The global market for reduced-salt foods was worth over $315 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow significantly by 2030, the lawsuit states.
In the U.S., salt is one of the most avoided food components, second only to sugar. With 42% of American adults actively trying to limit their salt intake, products labeled as salt-free are in high demand.
Kinder’s allegedly exploited this trend by falsely marketing its products as containing “No Salt,” capitalizing on consumers’ desire for healthier, low-sodium options, the lawsuit contends.
Kinder’s isn’t alone in facing legal action for misleading food labels. Giant has been sued over its orange soda, which allegedly contains brominated vegetable oil (BVO), a banned preservative, without proper disclosure.
Coca-Cola is also facing a class action for its Minute Maid Fruit Punch, which is advertised as having “No Preservatives Added” despite containing citric acid. Pirate’s Booty has been similarly accused of false advertising for claiming its snacks have “No Artificial Colors or Preservatives” when they actually include citric acid.
In his Kinder’s class action lawsuit, Blosser wants to represent consumers from across the country in his claims of violations of California business law, breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, and unjust enrichment. He is seeking damages, restitution, and injunctive relief.
Case Details
Plaintiffs' Attorneys
Have you bought Kinder's "No Salt" seasonings? What are your thoughts on their labeling? Share your experience in the comments below.
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