Dannon settles class action suit over Activia health claims
Dannon has reached a settlement in a class action lawsuit filed over misleading advertising on its Activia and DanActive lines of yogurt, according to the Associated Press.
The health claims indicated that the yogurt's bacteria would help with digestion or with the immune system.
As part of the settlement, the White Plains, N.Y. company does not admit any wrongdoing but will create a $35 million fund to reimburse qualified consumers up to $100 for products purchased.
If you purchased either Activia or DanActive products since they were introduced in 2006 or 2007, you should sign up to receive a Dannon Activia/DanActive claim form.
Customers could receive up to $15 without a receipt, up to to $30 by signing a statement attesting to the amount of products they have purchased, and up to $100 with a receipts to prove how much they had bought.
Each of those amounts will change based on the number of claims submitted.
Under the settlement terms, Dannon will also change some language on Activia products, stating that the yogurt will help regulate the digestive system, IF eaten for two weeks and as part of a healthy lifestyle. The DanActive products will be changed from stating they have a positive effect on the immune system to "interact" with the digestive system's immune system.
The bottom line seems to be that you should be skeptical of the claims posted on your food. A claim might be exaggerated or the labeling may be more suggestive of positive benefits that you may or may not experience.
Comments
Danon is still my favorite yogurt!
Posted by: Emiline Reifsnyder | September 25, 2009 2:37 PM