Fat-Free Half-and-Half False Advertising Investigation

CSKD is investigating potential false advertising and consumer deception claims involving the marketing and labeling of “fat-free half-and-half” dairy products sold nationwide.

Traditional half-and-half is commonly understood to be a mixture of milk and cream containing milkfat. Consumers may reasonably believe that products labeled as “fat-free half-and-half” contain the same basic ingredients and characteristics as traditional half-and-half, but with reduced fat content. In reality, many fat-free versions contain no cream and instead contain primarily skim milk and corn syrup, plus additives, thickeners, gums, sweeteners, and stabilizers to imitate the texture and appearance of genuine half-and-half.

Our investigation is focused on whether consumers were misled by:

• The use of the term “half-and-half” on products containing primarily skim milk and corn syrup;
• Packaging and branding that may imply the product is simply a healthier version of traditional half-and-half rather than a fundamentally reformulated dairy product;
• Marketing that may obscure the use of additives and nontraditional ingredients used to simulate creaminess; and
• Whether consumers paid a price premium based on allegedly misleading representations.

Products under investigation may include fat-free half-and-half products sold under store brands, including:

• Great Value
• Bowl and Basket
• Lucerne
• Giant
• And others

Consumers who purchased fat-free half-and-half products for household use may have legal rights under state consumer protection and false advertising laws.

Signs Consumers May Have Been Misled

Consumers may have believed:

• The product contained actual cream similar to traditional half-and-half;
• “Fat-free” referred only to reduced fat levels rather than a substantially different formulation;
• The product would perform similarly in cooking, baking, or coffee applications; or
• The product was nutritionally or compositionally equivalent to conventional half-and-half.

Contact Our Firm

If you purchased fat-free half-and-half products and would like to discuss your experience, please contact us.