California prosecutors are suing Kroger, the owner of Ralphs and Food 4 Less, for allegedly misleading customers about the calorie content of its Carbmaster bread line.
The lawsuit claims Kroger advertised its white bread as having “30 CALORIES PER SERVING” in large, bold letters on the front of the packaging.
However, prosecutors claim the mandatory nutritional label on the back contradicts this claim, stating each slice contains 50 calories.
Similar discrepancies were found with the supermarket giant’s hamburger buns.
District attorneys from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties accuse Kroger of false advertising and violating state fair competition laws.
They argue that consumers, especially those with medical conditions like diabetes, rely on nutritional information for crucial health decisions.
Kroger has yet to respond to the lawsuit.
The issue of inaccurate calorie labeling isn’t new.
Researchers point to inconsistencies in FDA regulations, allowing manufacturers multiple methods to calculate calorie counts.
They say this makes enforcement difficult and relies heavily on company honesty.
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Prosecutors claim they notified Kroger about the discrepancies in 2022, but the issue persists.
A recent Ralphs website listing even showcased a wheat bread advertised with 30 calories per serving on the front with the back label revealing 50 calories per slice.
This lawsuit highlights a growing trend of consumers challenging the accuracy of food labeling.
Similar cases have targeted Chipotle over calorie counts in burritos, and other companies have been accused of under- or over-reporting nutritional information.
Experts acknowledge the challenges of precise calorie labeling but emphasize its importance for consumers, particularly those relying on calorie intake for weight management or health reasons.
