News

Nov 25, 2023

Trident Sugar

by Kelsey McCroskey Filed: March 6, 2023 ◆§ 1:23-cv-01889 A class action

by Kelsey McCroskey

Filed: March 6, 2023 ◆§ 1:23-cv-01889

A class action lawsuit claims Mondelēz Global, LLC has misled consumers by implying on product labels that its Trident sugar-free gum is sweetened primarily with xylitol, an effective plaque reducer.

Mondelēz Global LLC

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act New York General Business Law

New York

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action lawsuit claims Mondelēz Global, LLC has misled consumers by implying on product labels that its Trident sugar-free gum is sweetened primarily with xylitol, an effective plaque reducer.

Want to stay in the loop on class actions that matter to you? Sign up for ClassAction.org's free weekly newsletter here.

The 13-page lawsuit says that despite the product's prominent front-label description as a "Sugar Free Gum With Xylitol," its principal sweetener is actually sorbitol, a cheaper and less powerful agent against tooth decay compared to xylitol.

According to the suit, the sugar-free gum contains roughly twice as much sorbitol, which appears first in the product's ingredients list, as it does xylitol. At that ratio, the filing says, the latter's "superior relative benefits to oral health are practically extinguished."

As the case explains, gum that contains only xylitol is proven to be more effective against plaque than products with both xylitol and sorbitol. In fact, xylitol has been shown to actively reduce oral plaque, while sorbitol is recognized only as a general deterrent against tooth decay, the complaint relays.

The filing charges that the defendant's greater reliance on sorbitol comes down to higher profit margins, as xylitol is more expensive than its less-potent counterpart.

The plaintiff, a New York resident, purchased the Trident sugar-free gum in the past few years based on the representations that its sweetening component was primarily xylitol, or at least that xylitol was present at a significant level, the suit says. The woman expected the amount of xylitol to be substantial enough to "provide the superior effects on oral health" for which it is known, the case states.

Like other consumers, the plaintiff would not have paid as much, or purchased the gum at all, had she known that sorbitol was actually its principal ingredient, the complaint claims.

The lawsuit looks to represent anyone residing in New York, Arkansas, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho or Alaska who purchased Trident "Sugar Free Gum With Xylitol" during the applicable statutes of limitations.

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

Camp Lejeune residents now have the opportunity to claim compensation for harm suffered from contaminated water.

Read more here: Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Claims

Stay Current

New cases and investigations, settlement deadlines, and news straight to your inbox.

This browser does not support PDFs. Please download the PDF to view it: Download PDF.

Kelsey works primarily on ClassAction.org's newswire, reporting on cases as they happen.

ClassAction.org is a group of online professionals (designers, developers and writers) with years of experience in the legal industry.

Before commenting, please review our comment policy.