Smartfood Lawsuit Claims Popcorn Falsely Advertised as Free from Artificial Flavors, Preservatives

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A proposed class action lawsuit claims that Smartfood Popcorn is falsely advertised as free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, given that the product contains maltodextrin, a synthetic food additive.

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According to the 12-page lawsuit, the labeling of Smartfood Popcorn represents that the snack contains “no artificial colors or flavors” and “no artificial preservatives,” claims that the suit says appeal to consumers increasingly in search of food products that do not contain synthetic ingredients.

The lawsuit alleges that despite the “natural” product label claims, Smartfood Popcorn contains maltodextrin, an FDA-recognized synthetic food additive that acts as a sweetener and preservative and is not found in nature.

The suit relays that maltodextrin consumption is linked to adverse health effects such as gastrointestinal symptoms, including cramps and bloating, and blood sugar spikes. Additionally, maltodextrin produced from genetically modified corn has specifically been linked by some research to Alzheimer’s disease, reproductive difficulties, allergies, cancer and kidney damage, the complaint claims.

In light of the artificial nature of maltodextrin and its known adverse health effects, the lawsuit claims that Smartfood Popcorn’s assurances that the snack contains no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors are false and misleading to consumers.

Proposed class members would not have purchased Smart Popcorn, or would have paid less for the product, had they known it contained maltodextrin, the case contends.

The Smartfood class action lawsuit seeks to represent anyone in the U.S. who bought any Smartfood Popcorn product or products for personal, household or family consumption and not for resale within the applicable statute of limitations period.

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