Exasperated by 2-Minute Noodles’ claims of the product only taking 120 seconds to prepare, B&T was excited to hear the news that an American woman is suing Kraft Heinz, makers of Velveeta’s Shells & Cheese, over its claims the product is microwave-ready in just “three-and-a-half minutes”.
Florida woman Amanda Ramirez has launched a $US5 million ($A7.3 million) lawsuit against the company claiming false advertising saying the prep time for the microwaveable mac and cheese treat is much longer when you add in things like opening the lid and sauce pouch, before adding water and stirring.
In the lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida in mid-November, Ramirez’s lawyers claim she paid more than she would have had she known the truth.
The lawsuit claims the packaging on the microwavable single-serve cups, saying it will be “ready in 3½ minutes”, is “false and misleading”.
Understandably, Kraft Heinz Foods Company dismissed the lawsuit as “frivolous”.
“We are aware of this frivolous lawsuit and will strongly defend against the allegations in the complaint,” a company spokesperson told the BBC.
Ramirez’s lawsuit claims Kraft is unfairly profiting off false advertising on the cups and is exploiting the brand trust it has with its customers.
The lawsuits claims customers are paying more than they otherwise would because of the product’s claims. The plaintiff “is like many consumers who seek to stretch their money as far as possible when buying groceries,” the complaint states.
In addition to the $US5 million in damages, Ramirez is also seeking punitive damages from Kraft Heinz Foods Company and asks the company “be ordered to cease its deceptive advertising” as well as “be made to engage in a corrective advertising campaign”. The case continues.
