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Sep 13, 2023

Lakanto Products Sweetened Mostly with Cheaper Sugar Alcohol, Not Monk Fruit, Class Action Claims

by Corrado Rizzi Filed: September 13, 2022 ◆§ 5:22-cv-05232 A class action

by Corrado Rizzi

Filed: September 13, 2022 ◆§ 5:22-cv-05232

A class action alleges certain Lakanto products are not sweetened with monk fruit as advertised but predominantly with erythritol, a highly processed and cheaper sugar alcohol.

Saraya USA, Inc.

California Business and Professions Code California Unfair Competition Law California Consumers Legal Remedies Act

California

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A proposed class action alleges certain Lakanto products are not sweetened with monk fruit as advertised but predominantly with erythritol, a highly processed and cheaper sugar alcohol known to be "disruptive to gut health."

The 23-page lawsuit against manufacturer Saraya USA says that erythritol is generally derived from "GMO cornstarch." Ingestion of erythritol, like other sugar alcohols, can cause "digestive problems, diarrhea, bloating, cramps, gas, nausea, and headaches," the case states.

Conversely, monk fruit sweetener is made from the extract of the luo han guo fruit and known to be high in antioxidants and "less processed" than erythritol, the filing relays.

As such, the case contends, monk fruit is considered to be a more premium, and thus more expensive, sweetener. The lawsuit claims the price difference between monk fruit and erythritol has given Saraya "a financial motive" in labeling the following products in "a deceptive manner":

The lawsuit argues that the belief that the above-listed products are sweetened with monk fruit was a "significant factor" in consumers’ decision to buy the items, in particular given that monk fruit is "considered to be one of the most premium sweeteners available on the market" and more valued than the less nutritious, cheaper erythritol.

"Thus, Defendant promises premium products, but provides consumers with cheaper, less premium alternatives," the case alleges.

According to the suit, Saraya "knew or should have known" that consumers would rely on its representations yet nonetheless "deceptively advertises" the items as sweetened with monk fruit. Consumers would not have bought the Lakanto products, or would have paid less for them, had they known they were sweetened with less-desirable erythritol, the complaint says.

The lawsuit looks to cover California residents who purchased any of the Lakanto products listed on this page within the applicable statute of limitations period.

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Corrado Rizzi is the Senior Managing Editor of ClassAction.org.

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