Krispy Kreme Sued Over Misleading "Fruit" Doughnut Advertisements

Nov 17, 2016 10:03 AM EST

Jason Saidian from Los Angeles is suing Krispy Kreme for $5 million over allegedly making false claims on their products' ingredients.

Saidian says Krispy Kreme's fruit doughnuts do not contain real fruit contrary to what is being advertised. For example, their "Glazed Raspberry Filled" only contains artificial flavorings and apparently no trace of a real raspberry. Added into the list are the company's "Maple Bar" and "Glazed Blueberry Cake" which both do not contain either maple or blueberry.

The case has been filed at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California last Wednesday, and is currently under litigation. The lawsuit is for Krispy Kreme's "false and misleading business practices."

Saidian says he would never have bought the "fruit" doughnut varieties if only he was aware that they did not contain real fruits. He lists down ingredients for the "Blueberry Sugar Bits" and turns out, this variety includes sugar, corn syrup, palm oil, artificial flavors and colorants-and no fruit in sight. This goes true with the company's other products, and the lawsuit goes on to say that, "Unbeknownst to Plaintiff and other consumers, the Raspberry Products do not contain actual raspberries, the Maple Products do not contain actual maple syrup or maple sugar, and the Blueberry Products do not contain actual blueberries."

The multi-billion North Carolina-based doughnut chain cannot be reached at this time due to the ongoing trial.

This is not the first time that consumers are filing for lawsuits against big food corporations.

Just this May, Stacy Pincus from Chicago sued Starbucks for $5 million dollars for "putting too much ice in her drinks." She believes she is being ripped off. However, Starbucks rejected her claims and did not participate in the litigation.   

Another failed claim was made just last year, when a man sued fast-food chains Wendy's, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonald's for making him fat. At 5'10", 270 pounds, with diabetes and with a failing heart, he is in a serious health nightmare. However, he lost the case when it was found out that he'd been eating fast food at least four times a week.

But this seemingly David-and-Goliath battle is not all lost. Back in 1992, 79-year old Stella Liebeck filed a lawsuit against McDonald's after she spilt hot coffee on her body causing burns on her lap. Despite the long battle, she eventually won and was awarded $2.7 million. She has then been a poster child for the consumer rights movement.