Crosner Legal has filed a class action lawsuit against Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., alleging the company misled consumers about the safety and nutritional value of its sunflower butter products. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, contends that Sprouts’ marketing and labeling practices violate federal and state consumer protection laws.
Sprouts manufacture and sells a line of sunflower butter products, including Sprouts Creamy Unsweetened Sunflower Butter, Sprouts Organic Creamy Unsalted & Unsweetened Sunflower Butter, and Sprouts Creamy Sunflower Butter. These products are marketed as “School Friendly,” “Non-GMO,” “BPA Free,” and “Free From” common allergens. The packaging features bright, health-forward imagery that reinforces the message that the products are safe for children and families.
However, independent lab testing revealed the presence of dangerously high levels of cadmium; a toxic heavy metal and known human carcinogen. In one case, a single serving of the Organic Creamy Unsalted & Unsweetened Sunflower Butter contained 26.56 micrograms of cadmium, more than six times the legal limit that triggers California’s Proposition 65 warning requirements. Despite this, Sprouts failed to disclose the presence of cadmium anywhere on its packaging, deceiving consumers about the safety of the products they were purchasing and feeding to their families.
In addition to the heavy metal contamination, the lawsuit also alleges that Sprouts violated FDA regulations governing protein labeling. Several products prominently claim “8g PROTEIN PER SERVING” on the front of the label but fail to disclose the percent daily value (%DV) of protein in the Nutrition Facts Panel, as required by law. According to FDA regulations, food manufacturers must account for the quality and digestibility of protein using a scientifically recognized formula known as PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score). The primary protein source in Sprouts’ products (sunflower seeds) has a relatively low PDCAAS score, meaning the actual usable protein content is substantially lower than advertised.
By omitting these critical disclosures and falsely marketing the products as safe and nutritious, Sprouts allegedly misled consumers and charged a price premium for products that did not deliver the advertised benefits. Plaintiffs are seeking monetary restitution, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to ensure Sprouts ceases its deceptive and unsafe practices.
At Crosner Legal, we remain committed to protecting consumers from misleading marketing and unsafe food products. Companies that sell food to families; especially products marketed as school-safe or kid-friendly must be held accountable when they put profits over public health.
If you purchased any Sprouts sunflower butter products and are concerned about exposure to heavy metals or deceptive labeling, contact us to learn more about your rights.
- Crosner Legal: 9440 Santa Monica Blvd. #301, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
- Phone: (866) 276-7637 [CROSNER]
- Email: intake@crosnerlegal.com
- Fax: (310) 510-6429
This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.