USA – American-based multinational chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, Burger King, has been accused of misleading customers by showing Whopper burger with a meatier patty and ingredients that “overflow over the bun”.
Customers in the proposed class action lawsuit against Burger King alleged that the Whopper was made to look 35% larger, with more than double the amount of meat compared to what was actually served to customers.
U.S. District Judge Roy Altman in Miami said Burger King must defend against a claim that its depiction of Whoppers on in-store menu boards mislead reasonable customers, amounting to a breach of contract.
Burger King had earlier argued that it was not required to deliver burgers that look “exactly like the picture”.
In the ruling, US District Judge Roy Altman said it should be left to jurors to “tell us what reasonable people think”.
“The flame-grilled beef patties portrayed in our advertising are the same patties used in the millions of Whopper sandwiches we serve to guests nationwide,” a Burger King spokesperson said in a statement after the ruling.
“The plaintiffs’ claims are false,” Burger King said in a statement. “The flame-grilled beef patties portrayed in our advertising are the same patties used in the millions of Whopper sandwiches we serve to guests nationwide.”
Rivals McDonald’s and Wendy’s are facing a similar lawsuit in the US for marketing materials that were at least 15% larger than they were in real life.
Earlier this year, Taco Bell, a unit of Yum Brands, was also sued in the US for selling Crunchwraps and Mexican pizzas that allegedly contained half the filling that was advertised.
Lawsuit claims Brita is misleading customers with false advertising
In another lawsuit, a California man has filed a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of a popular water filtration system, Brita Everyday Water Pitcher, alleging that it doesn’t remove potentially hazardous substances from drinking water or reduce the levels of those contaminants as effectively as its packaging claims.
Nicholas claims that he made the purchase in 2022 after reading some of the statements printed on the Brita pitcher’s packaging, including “FRESH FILTER = FRESHER WATER” and “Reduces 30 contaminants including Lead, Benzene, Mercury, Cadmium, Asbestos, and More.”
In the lawsuit, Brown alleges that those claims are “false,” and he states that “the Product does not remove or reduce common contaminants […] to below lab detectable limits.”
He also alleges that the filters do not remove or reduce “highest risk, notorious, or prevalent contaminants” from tap water, including two types of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals.
In a statement to Nextar media, the company replied: “Our products include a standard filtration option that improves taste and odor of tap water and is certified to reduce identified contaminants as communicated.”
“For those consumers looking for water filters certified to reduce PFOS or PFOA, the Brita Elite pour-through and Brita Hub are both certified to reduce PFOS/PFOA, as well as lead and other identified contaminants.”
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