Class Action: Dreyer’s and Edy’s Ice Cream Not Made with Real Vanilla, Despite Representations

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Nestle Dreyer’s Ice Cream Company is facing a proposed class action that claims its Dreyer’s and Edy’s vanilla ice cream products aren’t made from real vanilla, despite labeling that suggests otherwise.

There are 21 Dreyer’s and Edy’s products made with vanilla ice cream or vanilla light ice cream, according to the complaint. The lawsuit argues that the ice cream labels, which simply state “vanilla” rather than “vanilla flavor,” mislead consumers into thinking their flavors are drawn from real vanilla when Nestle actually uses non-vanilla bean ingredients.

Moreover, the case says the products’ labels falsely indicate that the ice creams contain “Fresh Milk & Cream” and “No Artificial Colors or Flavors” when, in fact, the frozen treats contain preservatives that give them a shelf life of several months. The suit adds that “natural flavors” is included in the products’ ingredients lists when, in actuality, the materials used to flavor the products are synthetic and have no connection to vanilla beans.

The defendant further deceives consumers, the case continues, by using annatto, a food coloring that gives its ice cream a yellow shade to mimic products made with real vanilla.

“This coloring makes the consumer less likely to question or probe into the amount and type of vanilla flavor in the Products,” the suit argues.

The lawsuit, which is similar to recent cases concerning Breyers and Dove products, follows a wider trend of lawsuits filed by consumers taking issue with the purported amount of real vanilla in ice cream.