Mondelez Settles Wheat Thins Lawsuit for $10 Million Over Labeling Deceptions
Key Points:
Settlement Details:
* Settlement amount: $10 million
* Purchasers to receive refunds ranging from $4.50 to $20.00
* Mondelez prohibited from using "100% Whole Grain" on Wheat Thins packaging without qualifying language
Background:
* Lawsuit alleged Wheat Thins labeled as "100% Whole Grain" contained corn starch
* Plaintiffs claimed false labeling inflated Wheat Thins' perceived healthiness and price
Eligible Purchasers:
* U.S. purchasers of Wheat Thins with "100% Whole Grain" label from October 13, 2018, to present
* Variants included: Original, Reduced Fat, Sundried Tomato & Basil, Big, Ranch, Hint of Salt, Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil, Spicy Sweet Chili
Legal Proceedings:
* Settlement filed in San Francisco federal court
* Requires judicial approval
Other Provisions:
* Remaining settlement funds allocated to UCLA's Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy and Feeding America
* Plaintiffs' attorneys may seek up to $3.33 million for fees
* Mondelez denies wrongdoing but settled to avoid further litigation