Might 19 (Reuters) – A federal decide in Illinois has dismissed a lawsuit accusing Mondelez Worldwide Inc (MDLZ.O) of deceiving customers into believing its Trident “Unique Taste” gum contained actual mint.
U.S. District Decide Iain Johnston mentioned it was “fanciful” to imagine affordable customers would count on the gum to comprise mint or peppermint as a result of its packaging featured an “unnaturally blue” leaf with condensation bubbles.
He mentioned the proposed class motion by Sycamore, Illinois resident Kristen Lesorgen was “similar to” a case towards Walmart Inc (WMT.N), the place one other Illinois decide in February dismissed claims over that retailer's Nice Worth Fudge Mint Cookies.
“Mondelez's labeling was not misleading, deceptive, or false as a matter of legislation,” Johnston wrote.
“At most, Trident ‘Unique Taste' packaging hints that its taste is mint, not that its substances embody mint or peppermint,” he added. “The packaging would not even use the phrase ‘mint.' Additional, mint leaves in a backyard are inexperienced.”
The lawsuit lined customers in Illinois and eight different U.S. states, and accused Chicago-based Mondelez of violating varied shopper safety legal guidelines.
Johnston dismissed the case with prejudice, which means it can't be introduced once more. The decide works in Rockford, Illinois.
Legal professionals for Lesorgen didn't instantly reply to requests for remark. Mondelez and its attorneys didn't instantly reply to comparable requests.
The case is Lesorgen v Mondelez Worldwide LLC, U.S. District Court docket, Northern District of Illinois, No. 22-50375.
Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York
Enhancing by Alistair Bell
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