Blue Buffalo settles class action lawsuit over ingredients
December 17, 2015
Company to pay US$32 million with cash on hand
From Petfood Industry:
Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc., subsidiary of Blue Buffalo Co. Ltd., has entered into a settlement agreement in class action lawsuits brought against it on behalf of consumers.
The lawsuits claim that some Blue Buffalo products were not consistent with the company’s “True Blue Promise,” which states that the products are “formulated with the finest natural ingredients” and made with “no chicken/poultry by-products meals; no corn, wheat or soy; and no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors.”
On May 6, 2014, Purina filed a lawsuit against Blue Buffalo for false advertising after testing revealed the presence of poultry byproduct meal in some of Blue Buffalo’s top-selling pet foods. On May 6, 2015, Blue Buffalo acknowledged in court that a “substantial” and “material” portion of Blue Buffalo pet food sold to consumers contained poultry byproduct meal, despite advertising claims to the contrary.
Blue Buffalo denies any wrongdoing and has agreed to the settlement to eliminate any ongoing litigation.
Under the terms of the agreement, Blue Buffalo will pay US$32 million into a settlement fund to settle the claims of the plaintiff class. The agreement is subject to preliminary and final approval by the court. The company intends to pay the settlement with cash on hand.
Blue Buffalo Agrees to Settle Class Action Lawsuits
Wilton, Conn.-based Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc. announced today that its subsidiary, Blue Buffalo Co. Ltd., has entered into a settlement agreement in the class action lawsuits brought on behalf of consumers and consolidated in the Multi-District Litigation pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
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