Just weeks after getting called out for overcharging customers for prepackaged food items, Whole Foods is in trouble again for allegedly mislabeling baked goods.
A class action suit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in April by plaintiff Lois Bryant alleges that the high end grocer has been misleading customers into thinking their products are healthier or "more natural" by using the term "evaporated cane juice"-or ECJ-instead of just writing sugar.
The complaint cites a draft guidance from the FDA issued in 2009 that advises companies to refrain from using the term "evaporated cane juice" because it is "false and misleading." The suit specifically calls out the label on the chain's Gluten Free All Natural Nutmeal Raisin Cookies. Whole Foods is not the first chain to be hit with a lawsuit regarding the potentially confusing term.
Whole Foods Market, Inc. is an American foods supermarket chain specializing in organic food irst opened on September 20, 1980. With stores in the US, Canada, and the UK. The company started its third decade with additional acquisitions.
The first was Natural Abilities in 2000, which did business as Food for Thought in Northern Califorinia. After the departure of then company president Chris Hitt and regional president Rich Cundiff, Southern California region, John Mackey promoted A.C. Gallo, president of the Northeast region and Walter Robb, president of the Northern California region to Co-COO and soon after added the titles of Co-President. This led to the promotion of three new regional presidents and a new era for the company. David Lannon became president of the Northeast region, Anthony Gilmore became president of the Southwest region, Ron Megehan became president of the Northern California region.
In 2001,Whole Foods also moved into Manhattan. Whole Foods Market's expansion has increased the need for products and processing plants. In response, the company added its 365 Everyday Value product line and purchased Allegro Coffee Company in 1997. A seafood processing plant was opened in Atlanta in 2003, the year in which Whole Foods became the United States' first national "certified organic" grocer.
