Consumers of Prüvit supplements may have been misled by labeling: Who’s affected?
Did you buy Prüvit keto dietary supplements thinking they contained all-natural flavoring? Consumers say they were misled.
Consumers increasingly insist on knowing exactly what is in the food supplements they buy. For many, the key to a purchase is that it contains only natural ingredients. Whether or not they follow a ketogenic (keto) diet, consumers may have reached for Prüvit keto supplements because they were labeled “no artificial flavors.”
When tested, the supplements were found to contain a form of synthetic malic acid derived from petrochemicals. The use of these chemicals is legal, but the law demands truth in advertising.
Do you qualify?
If you bought Prüvit KETO/OS NAT supplements you may qualify to participate in a class action lawsuit and receive money for damages.
Please fill out the form on this page for more information.
Label regulations
The US government has precise rules about how food (and cosmetic) packages are labeled. Consumers rely on manufacturers to adhere to those rules and are willing to pay a premium for what is known as “clean label” food attributes.
A consumer survey showed that wording on labels made purchases more attractive. Some 60% to 70% of respondents said they were willing to pay more for clean labeled foods, including:
- “No artificial ingredients” (69%)
- “No preservatives” (67%)
- “All natural” (66%)
The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) requires that a food’s label accurately describe the nature of the product and its characterizing flavors. Natural flavors are defined as derived from fruits and vegetables.
If the flavoring ingredients are not all-natural, the law says the front label must state the product is “artificially flavored.”
Misleading labels
The lawsuit contends that the Prüvit packages were incorrectly labeled, promising one thing and delivering another. The products at issue are marketed as Prüvit KETO//OS NAT® in the following flavors (in both charged and caffeine-free versions):
- Maui Punch
- Gummy Bear
- Heart Tart
- Blueberry Acai
- Hibiscus Lemonade
- Berry Blue
The front label on the box and the individually wrapped items inside all state they contain “No Artificial Flavors.” The back of the package lists malic acid as one of the ingredients.
Malic acid
Malic acid can indeed be a naturally occurring substance but is almost never used in mass-produced food products because it is expensive, according to the lawsuit. Independent testing showed that the malic acid used in the Prüvit products was made with DL malic acid, a synthetic substance derived from benzene or butane—components of gasoline and lighter fluid, respectively. It is not illegal to use this ingredient, but the law demands that labeling be accurate so consumers can make an informed decision.
Both the synthetic and natural forms of the acid provide a pleasant sour flavor. Natural malic acid was first found in unripe apples. The name malic is from the Latin for apple, malum, according to sciencedirect.com. It also occurs naturally in grapes, watermelons, cherries, and in vegetables such as carrots and broccoli.
Keto diets
The Prüvit supplements containing the DL malic acid are sold as keto supplements. The diet in its many forms relies on high-fat, low-carbohydrate foods that deprive the body of glucose, the main source of energy for cells. Stored fat produces an alternative fuel called ketones.
Some form of the diet was used in the 19th century to
Original Story at topclassactions.com – 2023-12-08 18:34:09
