Nutella maker sued over health claims

by Michelle da Silva on April 30th, 2012 at 3:42 PM

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Give your kid a candy bar or serve them a nutella sandwich? If you thought the answer was obvious, think again.

Ferrero U.S.A. Inc., the company that owns Nutella—a creamy, hazelnut and chocolate spread for those who have been living under a rock, or never smoked a fatty and subsequently spooned your way through a couple of jars—has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit to those who believe they were misguided into thinking that Nutella was “healthier than it actually is”.

It all started when a California mom named Athena Hohenberg decided to take legal action last year. Hohenberg—who’s up for Mother of the Year, we’re told—was feeding her four-year-old daughter Nutella thinking that it was “healthy” and “part of a balanced meal” as the TV ads for the product claim. I know what you’re thinking: What? TV ads make false claims? You shouldn’t believe everything you see or hear on TV?? No way!

Well, apparently a ton of other moms sending their kids to school with Nutella sandwiches feel the same way as Hohenberg, and Ferrero has been required to pay a total of $3 million and change some of the language in its TV ads and on labels. Of the $3 million, $2.5 million will be divided among claimants (If you live in the U.S. and believe you were misguided into buying a jar of Nutella, you can still submit a claim through the Nutella Class Action Settlement website until July 5), which works out to about $4 per jar, for those who are wondering.

Unfortunately, for those of us residing in the Great White North who have been putting the chocolate-hazelnut spread on everything short of our toothbrushes, there’s no monetary award for us—yet.

You can follow Michelle da Silva on Twitter at twitter.com/michdas.

Comments

19 Comments

Maya Beckersmith

Apr 30, 2012 at 3:57pm

I always thought those ads were hilarious!

Jennie Ramstad

Apr 30, 2012 at 4:16pm

Someone actually believed Nutella was nutritious?

adam g

Apr 30, 2012 at 6:42pm

the voice on the ad telling me its nutritious is so pleasant and friendly i thought "theres no way im being lied to!" chocolate and hazelnuts part of a balanced diet? A resounding YES from this idiot!

Apr 30, 2012 at 7:37pm

If the consumers are going after Mirella, then perhaps they should go after the cereal companies too! Parents you are in control of what you feed your child! Read the labels for goodness sakes and be a responsible parent by taking the blame for your own actions! You feed your kids junk you get fat kids - end of story!

Kim

Apr 30, 2012 at 8:18pm

Here's your problem, it's a spread, NOT A SANDWICH FILLER! A SPREAD for a snack. like on one piece of bread, not inbetween two pieces slabbed so thick it's spilling out the sides. /facepalm. Stop blaming the world for obesity.

Be a Man

Apr 30, 2012 at 8:32pm

90% of all doctors smoke Camels!!

A. MacInnis

Apr 30, 2012 at 11:01pm

My favourite Italian cafe in Maple Ridge uses them in a dessert; before I asked what it was, I always took it for some random chocolate filling. It's hard for me to believe that anyone would believe it healthy, but holding the company to account for misleading people is just fine. Imagine a world where there was actually honesty in advertising... it seems rather utopian and far-fetched, doesn't it?

Steve T

May 1, 2012 at 11:21am

Americans will sue the manufacturer of their underwear if they put them on back to front. They seem to think the manufacturer has some kind of control over how you wear your undies. I think this is more about an American lawyer making a buck.

Ian G62

May 1, 2012 at 6:25pm

at least it is chocolate-ish in nature, the stuff that goes on chocolate biscuits these days such as Hobnobs is "chocolate flavoured topping", I stopped eating them forthwith - coincidentally I have just consumed a Nutella and organic peanut butter sandwich made from locally baked Pane Formaggio Roasted Pumpkin Seed Soudough loaf mmm