MadeGood Granola Bars: Class Action Alleges Metal Contamination

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges MadeGood granola bars contain metal fragments, posing health risks to consumers.

Consumers Affected: Consumers in California who purchased MadeGood granola bars.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Southern Division

Riverside Natural Foods, the maker of MadeGood granola bars, is facing a lawsuit alleging the company misled consumers by failing to disclose that its products may contain metal. The lawsuit, filed in California, claims the bars were marketed as safe and wholesome while hiding risks related to metal contamination—a potentially serious health hazard.

According to the complaint, the granola bars are sold as a premium, health-conscious snack, with packaging highlighting safety for schools and clean ingredients. However, the lawsuit alleges that poor manufacturing processes have resulted in metal fragments in the bars, a fact the company has not disclosed on its labels.

MadeGood Granola Bars Contain Metal Fragments, Lawsuit Claims

Tiana Gamino filed the proposed class action lawsuit alleging violations of California’s consumer laws. She purchased MadeGood granola bars in Mixed Berry flavor multiple times in 2024 from a Sprouts grocery store in California and says she paid $5.50 for six-bar packages, unaware of the potential metal contamination.

Gamino claims she relied on the product's packaging, which did not include warnings about metal risks, and would not have bought the bars—or would have paid less—if she had known. The lawsuit contends that Gamino suffered financial harm by purchasing products she believed were safe but were not, and she argues the company put her at risk. 

Metal Contamination Poses Health Risks to Consumers

The presence of metal in food products poses significant risks to consumers, the lawsuit points out. Ingesting metal fragments can lead to injuries such as dental damage, cuts in the mouth or throat, and even perforations in the intestines.

The lawsuit claims that Riverside Natural Foods either knowingly allowed metal fragments into its granola bars or failed to prevent contamination due to inadequate manufacturing processes. While the company has issued a recall for certain products, Gambino alleges that the recall highlights a broader problem with quality control.

Consumers expect food manufacturers to provide safe, contaminant-free products, the lawsuit states, and the presence of metal fragments in a product marketed as safe and healthy represents a breach of trust.

Other Food Companies Face Lawsuits Over Contamination and Mislabeling

The MadeGood lawsuit is part of a broader trend of legal action against food companies accused of misleading consumers. Spice manufacturer Badia Spices is currently facing a lawsuit for allegedly selling cinnamon powder with harmful levels of lead, while chocolate giant Lindt is defending itself against claims that its dark chocolate bars contain unsafe amounts of lead and cadmium.

In the snack industry, Muddy Bites is under fire for using excessive "slack-fill"—empty space in packaging—to mislead customers about the quantity of product they’re buying. Similarly, Harris Teeter, a cereal bar company, is accused of falsely advertising its bars as made with natural ingredients while including chemical additives.

In the MadeGood granola bars class action lawsuit, Gambino wants to represent everyone in California who purchased the bars and she is suing for violations of California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law, and breach of implied warranties. She is seeking restitution, injunctive relief, damages, attorneys fees, and interest.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Gamino v. Riverside Natural Foods Inc.
• Case Number: 8:24-cv-02698
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Southern Division 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Craig W. Straub and Michael T. Houchin (Crosner Legal, P.C.)

Do you eat MadeGood granola bars? Share your thoughts on this lawsuit in the comments below.