Trader Joe’s class action lawsuit claims grocer falsely advertises bagels as gluten-free

Overview of the Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Product Class Action Lawsuit:

• WHO: A Los Angeles woman has sued Trader Joe’s.
• Why: The plaintiff claims that the company sells a gluten-free bagel that, according to laboratory tests, is actually not gluten-free.
• Where: The class action lawsuit against Trader Joe’s over the gluten-free product was filed in a federal court in California.

A new class action lawsuit alleges Trader Joe’s sells a gluten-free bagel that actually isn’t gluten-free.

Plaintiff Shaianne Starks filed the lawsuit against Trader Joe’s Co. on June 28 in federal court in California, accusing the company of violating the False Advertising Act.

According to the class action lawsuit, Trader Joe’s sells Almost Everything Bagels in a bag with the words “gluten free” prominently displayed on the packaging on a large red background. However, the lawsuit claims that the bagels are not actually gluten free.

Bagels tested positive for gluten, says Trader Joe’s class action lawsuit

The group MomsAcrossAmerica.com leaked the alleged information about the bagels, the lawsuit says, claiming the group seeks independent testing results and information to help mothers identify the ingredients in health and nutritional products and then posts them online.

The class action lawsuit alleges that MomsAcrossAmerica.com published test results on various gluten-free products from the Health Research Institute, a supposedly reputable testing company.

“Scientifically validated testing results have determined that Trader Joe’s bagels contain 269.8 ppm gluten,” the lawsuit states.

It is claimed that this is 13 times the legal limit and almost 27 times the Gluten-Free Certification Organization limit.

Starks said she wouldn’t have bought the bagels if she had known they contained gluten, the Trader Joe’s class action lawsuit states. As a result, she claims she lost money due to the alleged deceptive advertising.

Starks wants to represent everyone who bought the supposedly gluten-free bagels in the United States. She is suing for violations of California consumer protection laws and breach of warranty and is seeking class action certification, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.

The class action lawsuit also seeks a court order forcing Trader Joe’s to stop advertising the bread as gluten-free and instead to run an advertising campaign to that effect.

In April, Trader Joe’s initiated a recall of its Infinite Herbs Organic Basil due to concerns that the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The Health Research Institute is looking at Infinite Herbs Organic Basil, which came in a 2.5-ounce package and was sold in Trader Joe’s stores in 29 U.S. states and the District of Columbia between February 1 and April 6, 2024.

What do you think about the allegations in the Trader Joe’s gluten-free bagels lawsuit? Let us know in the comments!

The plaintiff is represented by Michael T. Houchin, Craig W. Straub and Kurt D. Kessler of Crosner Legal PC.

The Class action lawsuit over Trader Joe’s gluten-free bagels Is Shaianne Starks v. Trader Joe’s Company, Case No. 2:24-cv-05543, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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