Bushra Griffith
Sargento is a cheesemaker that has been sued multiple times for its claims of 'no antibiotics' and 'natural' on its cheese products. The lawsuits allege that Sargento's products contain antibiotics and are made from milk from cows treated with the growth hormone rBST. Sargento's customer service states that they are not 100% sure if their cheese contains hormones or not as they source cheese from various suppliers. This raises concerns about the accuracy of Sargento's labeling and whether consumers can trust that their cheese is truly hormone-free.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hormone-free | No evidence found |
| Antibiotic-free | No; Sargento has faced lawsuits over claims that its products are antibiotic-free |
| Rennet source | Most Sargento natural cheeses are made with non-animal rennet, but some traditional Italian cheeses may contain animal enzymes |
| Lactose content | 96-98% of lactose is removed when cheese is made; aged cheeses such as Cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan are naturally low in lactose |
| Nut content | All shredded, sliced, block, and Ricotta cheeses, as well as refrigerated natural cheese snacks, are nut-free; however, Sargento Balanced Breaks products are packaged in a facility that contains peanuts and tree nuts |
| Freezing | Sargento does not recommend freezing their cheese as it may change the texture and their packaging is not designed for freezing temperatures |
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What You'll Learn
Sargento sued over 'natural' claims
Sargento, a cheese manufacturer, has been sued multiple times over its "no antibiotics" and "natural" claims on product labels. The lawsuits allege that Sargento's products contain antibiotics and are made from milk sourced from cows fed genetically modified feed or treated with the growth hormone rBST.
In 2017, Sargento Foods was sued in a San Francisco federal court in a proposed class action lawsuit. The lawsuit accused Sargento of marketing its cheeses as "natural" when the milk used came from cows fed genetically modified corn or soy and treated with growth-enhancing drugs. The lawsuit claimed that consumers paid a premium price for what they believed to be natural cheese without receiving the benefits of a natural product. Sargento defended itself by arguing that the lawsuit employed "daisy-chained" logic unsupported by any authority and that the FDA was already reviewing the definition of "natural."
In December 2020, another lawsuit was filed against Sargento Foods in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by Quynh Phan and others. This lawsuit also challenged Sargento's claims of "no added antibiotics" and "raised antibiotic-free," alleging that the company's products sometimes contained antibiotics and that its claims could be deemed misleading.
These lawsuits reflect a growing trend in food litigation to look beyond the ingredients list and investigate factors such as animal feeding and rearing practices, incidental additives, processing aids, pesticide residues, and antibiotic use. While Sargento has declined to comment on pending legal matters, the lawsuits have sparked discussions about the substantiation process for product claims and the sufficiency of disclaimers.
While Sargento has faced legal challenges over its product labeling, it is important to note that the company sources cheese from various suppliers, and the use of hormones or antibiotics may vary among them. Consumers concerned about the presence of hormones or antibiotics in their cheese can refer to product labels, reach out to customer service, or consult resources that provide information about hormone-free and antibiotic-free cheese options.
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Sargento's 'no antibiotics' claims
Sargento has faced multiple lawsuits regarding its "no antibiotics" claims on cheese product labels. The lawsuits argue that consumers interpret the "no antibiotics" claim to mean that the cheese is made from milk produced by cows that have never been treated with antibiotics. However, independent lab testing conducted in July 2020 found detectable levels of the antibiotic sulfamethazine in Sargento's mild sliced cheddar. According to the FDA, sulfamethazine is prohibited in lactating dairy cattle, and there is no acceptable level of residue.
Sargento has disputed these claims, stating that the amount of sulfamethazine detected was minuscule, equivalent to less than half a teaspoon of water in an Olympic-size swimming pool. The company also argued that the phrase "Our cheese is made from milk that does not contain antibiotics" is clear and not misleading. Despite Sargento's arguments, the lawsuits have been allowed to proceed, with judges acknowledging the potential for consumer confusion regarding the "no antibiotics" claims.
Sargento's position is further complicated by its previous lawsuits. In 2017, Sargento was sued over "natural" claims on products using milk from cows treated with the growth hormone rBST. These lawsuits set a precedent for scrutinizing factors beyond the ingredients list, including animal feeding and rearing practices. The current lawsuits against Sargento regarding antibiotic claims continue this trend, examining the entire supply chain and factors such as incidental additives, pesticide residues, and antibiotic use.
The lawsuits against Sargento shine a light on the complex nature of food labelling and consumer interpretation. While Sargento maintains that its "no antibiotics" claim is accurate and not misleading, the presence of even trace amounts of antibiotics in its products has sparked controversy and legal action. The outcome of these lawsuits will have significant implications for the food industry, particularly regarding the transparency and accuracy of product labelling.
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Sargento's animal enzymes in cheese
Sargento has faced multiple lawsuits regarding its claims that its cheese contains "no antibiotics". The lawsuits allege that Sargento's products sometimes do contain antibiotics and that the company's claims are misleading.
Sargento's cheese is made with four basic ingredients: pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, and enzymes. Rennets (enzymes) are added to thicken the milk and form curds. These milk-clotting enzymes can originate from non-animal and animal sources. Most Sargento natural cheeses are made with non-animal rennet, and none contain pork enzymes. The natural cheeses that may contain animal enzymes include traditional Italian cheese styles such as Parmesan, Romano, Provolone, Asiago, and Fontina. These varieties are found in Italian blends, sliced Provolone, grated Parmesan and Romano, and potentially any product with these cheese types listed. Animal rennet may also be found in Blue and Feta cheese types.
Sargento's website states that all other Sargento cheeses contain non-animal enzymes. However, according to a blog post from 2011, some Sargento natural cheeses that may contain animal enzymes include those with Romano, Asiago, or Jarlsberg cheeses. These include Artisan Blends Shredded Parmesan & Romano Cheese, Shredded 6 Cheese Italian Cheese, Shredded Reduced Fat 4 Cheese Italian Cheese, and Deli Style Sliced Jarlsberg Cheese. The cheese dip in some Sargento Snacks, such as Cheese Dip & Cracker Sticks, Cheese Dip & Pretzel Sticks, and Cheese Dip & Crackers, is made with beef rennet.
It is worth noting that Sargento has also been sued over claims that its products are "natural" when they use milk from cows fed GM feed or treated with the growth hormone rBST.
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Sargento's use of powdered cellulose
Sargento is a cheesemaker that has faced lawsuits over its "'no antibiotics' claims on cheese labels. Sargento has also been sued over 'natural' claims on products that use milk from cows fed with the growth hormone rBST.
Sargento uses powdered cellulose in its cheese products. Powdered cellulose is a white, odourless, and tasteless powder made from cellulose, a naturally occurring component of most plants. It is refined into a very fine white powder and can be derived from a variety of plant sources. It is not derived from wheat, rye, barley, or their cross-bred hybrids, so it is acceptable for gluten-free diets. Sargento uses powdered cellulose as an anti-caking agent to prevent cheese from sticking together. It is not used as a filler or substitute for cheese.
Sargento uses powdered cellulose in its shredded, sliced, and ricotta cheeses, as well as in its refrigerated and non-refrigerated natural cheese snacks. These cheese products are also nut-free and are produced in manufacturing plants that contain no nuts. However, it is important to note that Sargento's Balanced Breaks Snacks products, which include cheese and crackers, are packaged in a separate facility that also processes peanuts and tree nuts.
While Sargento asserts that powdered cellulose is not used as a filler or substitute for cheese, some consumers have expressed concerns about the use of additives in cheese products. It is worth mentioning that Sargento has faced lawsuits and criticism over its labelling practices and the accuracy of its claims, particularly regarding the use of antibiotics and hormones in its cheese production.
In terms of hormone use, Sargento has been sued over claims that its products are "natural" despite using milk from cows fed with the growth hormone rBST. This indicates that Sargento's cheese products may have contained hormones in the past, even if they no longer do. It is always advisable to check the ingredients and product labels for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
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Sargento's response to lawsuits
Sargento, a cheese manufacturer, has faced several lawsuits in recent years regarding its product labelling and marketing claims. The lawsuits have centred around Sargento's use of terms such as "no antibiotics", "no added antibiotics", "raised without antibiotics", and "natural" on its cheese packaging and whether these claims are misleading to consumers.
In response to the lawsuits, Sargento has denied any wrongdoing or misrepresentation. In a statement, Sargento claimed that the term 'natural' on its packaging is a proper noun defining what the cheese is—natural cheese rather than processed cheese. Sargento argued that in the cheese market, consumers understand the phrase 'natural cheese' to be a descriptor for a type of cheese and that the term 'natural' is not an adjective describing the quality of the product. Additionally, Sargento stated that its labelling explicitly spells out that 'No Antibiotics' means that their cheese is made from milk that does not contain antibiotics.
Sargento also argued that the lawsuits employ a ''daisy-chained' logic that is unsupported by any authority. The company stated that the plaintiffs cannot allege that Sargento's cheese contains antibiotics or hormones and that there is nothing unnatural about the cheese or its ingredients. Sargento further noted that the FDA is currently reviewing the definition of 'natural', and therefore, the lawsuit should be stayed under primary jurisdiction grounds.
In one specific case filed in December 2020, plaintiff Quynh Phan argued that reasonable consumers, seeing Sargento's prominent 'No Antibiotics' representation, would expect that the products are made without the use of antibiotics. Phan presented independent lab testing results from July 2020, which revealed that Sargento mild sliced cheddar had detectable levels of the antibiotic sulfamethazine. In response, Sargento filed a motion to dismiss the case, stating that the lawsuit was ""based on an alleged misrepresentation that does not exist".
In another lawsuit, Brittany Stanton, the plaintiff, cited Consumer Reports survey data to support her claim that reasonable consumers would not expect cheese labelled as 'natural' to use milk from cows likely fed genetically engineered feed or treated with the growth hormone rBST. In response, Sargento argued that this was "not a typical natural labelling case" and that the term 'natural cheese' is a well-defined term in the dairy industry recognised by federal agencies.
In addition to the lawsuits, Sargento issued a recall for 11 shredded and grated cheese products supplied by California-based Rizo-Lopez due to potential contamination with listeria monocytogenes. Sargento stated that the recall was not for any of its name-brand products but rather those supplied by Rizo-Lopez or packaged on the same lines.
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Frequently asked questions
Sargento was sued in 2017 over ‘natural’ claims on products that used milk from cows fed GM feed or treated with the growth hormone rBST. Sargento has not confirmed whether or not their cheese is free of antibiotics and hormones.
Sargento has not commented on the pending legal matters.
Sargento's cheese products include shredded, sliced, block, and ricotta cheeses, as well as refrigerated natural cheese snacks like cheese sticks. They also produce Italian blends, sliced Provolone, grated Parmesan and Romano, and potentially any product with this cheese type listed.
Sargento cheese may not be suitable for individuals with nut allergies. Their Balanced Breaks® products are packaged in a facility that contains peanuts and tree nuts.
