Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Mott’s Apple Juice Misleadingly Labeled as ‘100% Juice’

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action lawsuit claims that Mott’s Apple Juice distributor Keurig Dr Pepper has systematically mislabeled the purportedly “100% Juice” product, given that it contains the synthetic ingredient ascorbic acid, a food additive typically used for flavoring and preservation.

Get class action lawsuit and class action settlement news sent to your inbox – sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter.

The 23-page Mott's Apple Juice lawsuit accuses Keurig Dr Pepper of marketing the products at issue in a “systematically misleading manner” by misrepresenting that the fruit juices are 100-percent juice. Per the case, Keurig Dr Pepper, by law, must disclose the presence of additional ingredients, such as ascorbic acid, which is typically derived synthetically for commercial purposes.

The complaint alleges the defendant is attempting to “distinguish itself from other fruit juices” by claiming that Mott’s is made entirely with juice.

“As a result. Defendant has enjoyed a virtual monopoly and commanded a substantial premium over other ‘100% juice’ beverages with added ingredients,” the filing claims.

The lawsuit shares that Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines address the requirement to declare on a product label the presence of any non-juice ingredients in a beverage represented as 100-percent juice:

“If the beverage contains 100 percent juice and also contains non-juice ingredients…[and] the 100 percent juice declaration appears on a panel of the label that does not also bear the ingredient statement, it must be accompanied by the phrase “with added ---,” the blank filled in with a term such as “ingredient(s),” or “sweetener,” as appropriate.”

The class action lawsuit contends that commercial fruit juices are “merely shadows to regular sodas: containing the same high sugar content and a plethora of synthetic ingredients.” The case says Keurig Dr Pepper sells products that “fall squarely within this gamut of deceptive conduct.”

Per the case, ascorbic acid is a source of vitamin C but also has a preservative effect on the juice component of Mott’s Apple Juice.

The plaintiff, a New York resident, purchased Motts Apple Juice from Amazon on or about July 11, 2025. Upon receipt of the product, the complaint explains, the consumer noticed that ascorbic acid was among the ingredients listed on the label. The complaint asserts that the plaintiff purchased the fruit juice in reasonable reliance on the claim that it contained “100% juice” and chose the product over comparable brands that did not make the same claim.

The class action lawsuit emphasizes that global juice consumption is increasing due to perceived health benefits and “an increasing aversion toward the synthetic ingredients found in carbonated sodas.” The suit further cites a consumer survey indicating that approximately half of Americans seek natural ingredients and avoid processed or synthetic products.

As a result, the lawsuit argues, Keurig Dr Pepper is capitalizing on a booming market without being transparent with customers that its fruit juices contain a synthetic ingredient.

The Mott’s Apple Juice class action lawsuit seeks to cover any person residing in the United States who, during the applicable statute of limitations, purchased Keurig Dr Pepper’s products primarily for personal, family or household use.

 Looking for current class action lawsuits to join? Check out ClassAction.org’s class action lawsuit list.