Zesty Paws filed a lawsuit on September 16, 2022, before the Florida US District Court with numerous allegations against Nutramax Laboratories and Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences. The action is for broad-based false and misleading advertising, based on Nutramax’s print and on-line advertising and, of particular concern for pet food consumers, numerous and repeated failures to meet its product labelling claims.
According to the lawsuit, an independent accredited laboratory tested several Nutramax products to determine whether the Nutramax products meet its label claims. The testing revealed that eight Nutramax products contained 28 separate instances in which the active ingredients were below levels stated in the product label. In the majority of cases, the shortfall was significant.
The failed Nutramax products included: (1) Imuquin Immune Health Supplement Powder for Cats and Kittens; (2) Imuquin Immune Health Supplement Powder for Dogs and Puppies; (3) Cosequin Senior Joint Health Supplement for Senior Dogs; (4) Solliquin Behavior Supplement for Dogs & Cats; (5) Cosequin Minis Maximum Strength Joint Health Supplement for Small Dogs; (6) Dasuquin Soft Chews for Dogs (Small to Medium Dogs); (7) Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews for Dogs 150ct soft chews (Large Dogs); and (8) Welactin Omega-3 Fish Oil for Dogs.
In addition to the mislabeling, the lawsuit identifies multiple instances of false and misleading advertising, including claims by Nutramax to be the “industry leader” in the pet supplement industry, despite not being the leader in relevant metrics (revenue or volume). Another example cited was Nutramax’s widely used "#1 Veterinarian Recommended” advertising claims, which is based on a survey of only a confined demographic of small animal veterinarians, which the lawsuit alleges deceives consumers.
Zesty Paws pet supplements are made with the highest quality ingredients to maximize the wellness of its customers’ pets. Zesty Paws products are thoroughly tested and have over 275,000 5-star ratings and reviews combined on Amazon, Chewy and Zestypaws.com* and have been regularly recognized as bestsellers on Amazon.
*Ratings and reviews based on all Zesty Paws® supplements on Amazon, Chewy andZestyPaws.com via Power Reviews as of May 31st, 2022
