2 min read- A class action lawsuit claims that David Protein knowingly misled consumers about its protein bars.
- The packaging declares that each serving contains only 150 calories and 2 grams of fat, even though lab testing found significantly more.
- The suit is seeking damages, restitution, and injunctive relief.
David Protein bars have been touted for their seemingly impossible nutrient profile: 28 grams of protein, zero grams of sugar, 2 grams of fat, 12 carbs, all packaged in just 150 calories. Plus, at just $3.25 per bar, these were the talk of the town when they first came to market a couple of years ago (and just won an award this year). However, all those impressive macronutrients are under fire.
A class-action lawsuit filed against David Protein on January 23 alleges that the brand is misrepresenting the calorie and fat content of its coveted bars, violating both state and federal consumer laws. According to the suit, the protein bars contain significantly more calories and fat than advertised—83% and 400% more, respectively.
The complaint against the company includes test results from an “accredited laboratory” that found the bars contained between 268 and 275 calories per serving (over 100 calories more than the company states) and between 11 and 13.5 grams of fat per serving—a vast difference from the 2 grams advertised.
The lawsuit claims that David Protein knowingly misled consumers by using incorrect nutrition labels, causing them to make uninformed purchasing decisions. The suit claims that if consumers had been properly informed of the nutritional content, they would either not have bought the bars or would have paid less.
Furthermore, the suit argues that this misrepresentation violates FDA regulations requiring that the nutrient content of food products not exceed the declared value by more than 20%. The lawsuit seeks to represent anyone who purchased the protein bars in the United States and demands a jury trial. The plaintiffs are seeking damages, restitution, and injunctive relief to prevent David Protein from selling misbranded products.
When asked about the lawsuit in an interview with Vanity Fair, David Protein founder Peter Rahal maintained that the products were accurately labeled, stating that, “This particular claim, among other things, fails to understand how the FDA measures the calories for EPG, one of our key ingredients. We intend to defend this claim vigorously.”