Post Consumer Brands has agreed to pay $15 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging misinformation in labeling.  The suit was filed in August 2016 and involved label claims and advertisements for Post Selects™, Great Grains™, Honey Bunches of Oats™ and other brands manufactured and distributed by Post Holdings.  The settlement is basically a replay of the 2019 case in which Kellogg agreed to pay $30 million to settle a class-action suit with a similar basis.

The Post cereal brands specified in the lawsuit provided ten percent of calories from sugar and the plaintiffs maintained that terms such as “wholesome” and “smart” and “nutritious” were misleading.

California has a civil code that is basically a license for the tort bar to initiate shake-down class-action suits based on alleged misleading labeling and advertising claims.  Laws supporting this latter-day manifestation of highway robbery were understandably framed by litigators supported by their contributions in harmony with the vested interest of member of the California legislature. Caveat vendor!