A class-action lawsuit against Quaker Oats is set to go forward in a federal court in Philadelphia on October 8th. The lawsuit alleges that PepsiCo Inc., the maker of Quaker Oats, falsely promoted its oatmeal and other products as old-fashioned and natural, when the lawsuit focuses on whether such advertising was deceptive. It is believed that Quaker’s ads may have led some consumers to believe that their oatmeal was beneficial in weight loss or that it would guard against certain diseases.
Quaker Oats Lawsuit
The manufacturers’ defense team says that the “word natural” on Quaker Oats’ labels was misinterpreted by those consumers who interpreted it as healthy. They say that no foodstuff manufacturer can make claims about its ingredients being naturally healthy without qualified medical evidence. And while the manufacturer acknowledges that Quaker Oats does contain some antioxidants, they say that none of them are considered cancer-causing agents. The company also admits that it does not use any artificial colors or additives.
The plaintiffs’ attorney argues that the advertisements were deceptive and that consumers were led to believe that the oats could somehow help prevent certain cancers or slow or reverse aging. The lawsuit states that Quaker Oats “misled and/or deceived” consumers into believing that their consumption of the product would somehow protect them from certain diseases or that the oats could prevent or heal cancer. The lawsuit contends that such statements were false and that the manufacturer should be held liable for statements made that directly promoted the product’s benefits in terms of cancer prevention or treatment. As a direct result of these statements, many consumers expressed concern regarding Quaker Oats and their products. In many cases, consumers bought cancer-causing products or took steps to avoid foods containing them.
The crux of the lawsuit is that Quaker Oats was sold as an ingredient of cancer prevention or treatment, but in actuality, the oats actually contain herbicides. Glyphosate is a commonly used herbicide that is highly regarded by the US Food and Drug Administration as safe for use. But according to plaintiffs, Quaker Oats contained the herbicide glyphosate along with other potential carcinogens. The lawsuit also claims that the company was aware that Glyphosate is a carcinogen; however, the manufacturer failed to warn consumers or offer a warning about the potential hazards associated with the ingredient.
The main ingredient of Quaker Oats is amylase, which is an enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates in the mouth. Amylase is necessary to aid in the digestion of oats. However, the lawsuit claims that some of the plants containing amylase were grown using methods that allowed them to contain high levels of the herbicide. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that the main ingredient, amylase, can cause damage to the esophagus and other digestive systems by irritating the stomach. Further, ingesting high amounts of the herbicide can cause damage to the nervous system, which can result in memory loss, depression, weight gain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, cramps, dizziness, headaches, and more serious conditions such as pancreatitis, kidney failure, and rashes.
According to the lawsuit, the company failed to warn consumers about the dangers of eating or drinking sticker, which is an ingredient found in several Quaker Oats products including: juice, instant puddings, breakfast cereals, and breads. Steckler is a chemical substance that can cause serious, health-threatening conditions if it enters the body. Specifically, it contains Mycotoxins, which are toxic chemicals that can create allergic reactions and increase toxicity or cancer risk. The Quaker Oats lawsuit is currently pending, and if it is lost, it could be devastating for consumers in California and throughout the country.
