A federal judge has ruled that Kraft Heinz must face a nationwide class action lawsuit alleging deceptive marketing of its Kraft Mac & Cheese products. The lawsuit, filed by consumers in Illinois, California, and New York, claims the company misled customers by labeling its products as free from artificial preservatives despite containing citric acid and sodium phosphates, which plaintiffs argue act as preservatives. Citing scholarly articles and FDA guidance describing citric acid as a preservative, the plaintiffs allege that Kraft's labeling practices mislead reasonable consumers. U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland found the allegations sufficient to deny Kraft Heinz's motion to dismiss the case, allowing the litigation to proceed.
Kraft Heinz maintains that its Kraft Mac & Cheese contains no artificial flavors, preservatives, or dyes and has expressed confidence in the quality of its products. The company asserts that the lawsuit lacks merit and is prepared to defend itself in court. While the judge ruled that consumers cannot demand new labeling, as they are now aware of the alleged practices, the broader claims of misleading advertising remain at the heart of the case. Known for its iconic macaroni and cheese, Kraft Heinz is a leading global food company, offering a wide range of products to consumers worldwide.
