Oakberry Class Action Says Ingredient Claims Misled Health-Conscious Buyers

Case Overview: The lawsuit alleges Oakberry misrepresented its acai products as preservative-free and “all natural” despite containing synthetic citric acid.

Consumers Affected: Nationwide shoppers who purchased Oakberry acai bowls, smoothies, or packaged items advertised as preservative-free or natural.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Oakberry, a global acai brand known for its smoothie bowls and juice offerings, is under fire from consumers who say its “All Natural” marketing doesn’t match what’s inside the cup. 

A newly filed lawsuit claims the company misled the public by promoting its acai products as free from preservatives when they actually contain a synthetic ingredient made through industrial fermentation.

The case, brought by California consumer Yolanda Jean Pitre, accuses Oakberry Acai Inc. of false advertising, deceptive labeling, and violations of state and federal consumer protection laws. 

Filed in August in federal court, the complaint targets what it describes as widespread misrepresentation in Oakberry’s stores, online materials, and promotional campaigns.

Complaint Alleges Synthetic Citric Acid Used as Chemical Preservative

According to the filing, Oakberry markets its acai blends and toppings as “All Natural” and “Free from Preservatives” in advertisements and at point-of-sale displays. Pitre argues those claims are false because the company’s products include citric acid—an additive manufactured through a chemical process rather than extracted from fruit.

Citric acid is commonly produced using Aspergillus niger, a strain of black mold that ferments sugar to yield large quantities of the compound. The lawsuit says this method is heavily industrialized and far removed from what shoppers would associate with natural fruit-based ingredients.

Pitre claims the synthetic preservative has been linked to allergic and inflammatory reactions, including joint pain, muscle discomfort, and stomach irritation. The presence of this additive, she argues, undermines Oakberry’s “preservative-free” and “natural” labeling, leading consumers to pay more for a product they believed was cleaner and healthier.

Consumers Say They Paid Premium Prices Based on False Labels

The lawsuit asserts that Oakberry positioned its acai offerings as premium products through strategic branding and ingredient messaging. Pitre says she purchased the company’s products in reliance on those representations, believing she was choosing a product with minimal processing and no synthetic additives.

She alleges she would not have made the purchase, or would have paid less, had she known the products contained a manufactured preservative. The complaint describes Oakberry’s use of “all natural” and “no preservatives” claims as misleading because shoppers had no way to know the ingredient list contradicted the front-facing promises.

Alleged Violations of Consumer Protection Laws

The lawsuit accuses Oakberry of violating multiple consumer protection statutes, including California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act, False Advertising Law, and Unfair Competition Law. It also alleges breach of express and implied warranty, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment.

According to the complaint, Oakberry’s advertising created a false perception of purity that influenced purchase decisions. Pitre argues that the company profited from this misrepresentation while failing to disclose that the citric acid used in its products is not derived from fruit and serves as an artificial preservative.

The filing requests damages, restitution, disgorgement of profits, and a court order preventing Oakberry from continuing to advertise its products using “natural” or “preservative-free” terminology unless the ingredients fully align with those claims.

Similar Lawsuits Target “No Preservatives” Marketing

The Oakberry lawsuit mirrors several recent cases challenging companies over “natural” and “no preservatives” branding. 

In August, grocery retailer Kroger was sued over its Simple Truth Fruit & Grain Bars, which were labeled preservative-free despite containing citric acid. Plaintiffs in that case argue the company capitalized on consumer preferences for additive-free snacks while using an ingredient classified by federal regulators as a chemical preservative.

A separate lawsuit filed in July targeted Coca-Cola over its Sprite and Fanta soft drinks, alleging the sodas falsely claim “100% Natural Flavors” even though they contain synthetically produced ingredients such as manufactured citric acid.

In the Oakberry class action lawsuit, Pitre seeks to represent a nationwide class and a California subclass of consumers who purchased Oakberry acai bowls, smoothies, or packaged products advertised with the same claims. 

She is suing for monetary and punitive damages, restitution, and injunctive relief to prevent Oakberry from continuing its current marketing practices.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Yolanda Jean Pitre, et al. v. Oakberry Acai Inc.
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-07231
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Plaintiffs' Attorney

• Joseph Hakakian, Benjamin Heikali, Ruhandy Glezakos, and Joshua Nassir (Treehouse Law, LLP)

Did Oakberry’s “all natural” marketing influence your purchase? Share your thoughts in the comments below.