Patrick Oconnell
Sargento cheese has been the subject of lawsuits regarding the accuracy of its labelling. In 2017, Sargento was sued over its use of the term ''natural' on products that used milk from cows fed with recombinant Bovine Soatotropin (rbST). The lawsuit alleged that consumers would not expect cheese labelled as 'natural' to be made using milk from cows treated with rbST. Sargento has denied these claims, stating that consumers understand the difference between 'natural cheese' and 'processed cheese'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| RBST-free | No |
| RBST-free Milk | No |
| Lawsuit regarding RBST | Filed in 2017 |
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What You'll Learn
Sargento cheese is under fire for its 'natural' claims
Sargento cheese is under fire for its natural claims, with lawsuits alleging that the company's use of milk from cows fed GM feed or treated with recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rbST) is misleading to consumers. The lawsuits argue that products utilizing genetic engineering at any stage of production cannot be marketed as 'natural'.
In response to the allegations, Sargento has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the lawsuits are "without legal basis and speculative". Angel Garganta, a partner at the law firm representing Sargento, stated that the term 'natural cheese' has been used by cheese makers for decades to differentiate it from processed cheese and that consumers understand this distinction.
On the other hand, the plaintiffs in the case argue that reasonable consumers would not expect cheese labeled as 'natural' to use milk from cows fed genetically engineered feed or treated with hormones. They cite a 2014 Consumer Reports survey suggesting that 68% of US consumers believe that the 'natural' label on meat or poultry products indicates the absence of artificial growth hormones.
The controversy surrounding Sargento's natural claims has also brought attention to the broader issue of the ambiguity of 'natural' labeling in the food industry. The FDA is currently probing the meaning of 'natural' claims on food packaging, and multiple lawsuits have been stayed by courts on the grounds of primary jurisdiction.
In addition to the lawsuits over its natural claims, Sargento has also faced legal action over its 'no antibiotics' claims. Plaintiffs in these cases allege that Sargento's products sometimes do contain antibiotics, even when the fine print on the label states otherwise. This has sparked further debate about the accuracy and transparency of food labeling, particularly regarding the use of antibiotics in dairy production.
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Sargento cheese is made from milk from cows treated with rBST
In 2017, Sargento was sued in a class-action lawsuit over its use of the term "natural cheese" in the marketing of its products. The lawsuit alleged that Sargento's use of the term "natural" was misleading to consumers, as the milk used in the cheese came from cows that had been treated with recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rbST), also known as recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH). The lawsuit argued that products utilizing genetic engineering at any stage of their production could not be considered 'natural'.
Sargento, represented by Angel Garganta of Venable LLP, denied the claims, stating that the lawsuit was "without legal basis and speculative". Garganta argued that consumers understand the difference between 'natural cheese' and 'processed cheese' and that the term 'natural' does not imply the absence of rbST. In addition, Sargento pointed to the FDA's conclusion that there was "no significant difference" between milk from cows treated with rbST and milk from untreated cows.
While Sargento defended its use of the term "natural," the company did not specifically address whether its cheese is made from milk from cows treated with rbST. However, in a statement to FoodNavigator-USA, Sargento mentioned that they do not comment on pending legal matters.
It is important to note that the use of rbST in dairy production is a controversial topic. Some consumers prefer cheese made from milk that is free of hormones and antibiotics, while others may be less concerned about the source of their dairy products. Ultimately, the decision to consume cheese made with rbST-treated milk is a personal choice, and consumers can make informed decisions by considering their values and preferences.
In conclusion, while Sargento has faced legal challenges regarding the transparency of its product labelling, particularly concerning the use of the term "natural," the company has not explicitly confirmed or denied whether its cheese is made from milk from cows treated with rbST. Consumers seeking clarity on this matter can refer to Sargento's product labels, contact the company directly, or make purchasing decisions based on their own research and preferences.
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Sargento cheese is facing lawsuits over GMO feed
Sargento cheese is facing a lawsuit over its use of GMO feed and rbST milk in its products. The lawsuit, filed by high-profile attorney Michael Reese, alleges that Sargento's use of the term "natural cheese" is misleading and false advertising. The plaintiff, Brittany Stanton, claims that reasonable consumers would not expect cheese labeled as "natural" to use milk from cows fed genetically engineered feed and treated with recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rbST).
Stanton cites a 2014 Consumer Reports survey that suggests that 64% of US consumers believe that a "natural" label on meat or poultry products indicates that the animals' feed does not contain GMOs. She also claims that Sargento is exploiting consumer interest in natural products, as seven out of ten consumers have reported being particularly interested in natural products. Stanton argues that animal products derived from GMO feed cannot be considered natural, and that Sargento's cheese fails to meet USDA standards for foods labeled as "organic."
Sargento, on the other hand, has denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit "without legal basis and speculative." Angel Garganta, a partner at the law firm representing Sargento, stated that the term "natural cheese" has been used by cheese makers for decades to differentiate it from processed cheese. Garganta also argued that consumers understand the phrase "natural cheese" to refer to the type of cheese, rather than a description of the quality of the product. Sargento further noted that the FDA is currently probing the meaning of "natural" claims on food packaging and that similar "natural" lawsuits had been stayed by the courts on the grounds of primary jurisdiction.
The case highlights a growing trend in food litigation to look beyond the ingredients list and consider factors such as animal feeding and rearing practices, incidental additives, and genetically engineered feed. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the dairy industry and the use of the term "natural" in food labeling. The case is still moving through the courts, and it remains to be seen whether Sargento will be successful in its defense or if the courts will side with the plaintiffs, leading to potential changes in the labeling and marketing of dairy products.
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Sargento cheese is not rBST-free
Sargento, however, denied the allegations, arguing that the term "natural cheese" is commonly used in the industry to differentiate it from processed cheese. They also claimed that consumers understand the term "natural cheese" and do not interpret it as meaning the absence of genetic engineering or RBST use.
In response to a citizen's petition in 2016, the FDA concluded that the use of Posilac, a brand name for rbST, in lactating dairy cows is safe and effective. The Agency found no significant difference between milk from cows treated with rbST and those that were not.
Despite the FDA's stance, the lawsuit against Sargento highlights a growing trend in food litigation that goes beyond the ingredients list to probe factors such as animal feeding and rearing practices. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the use of hormones and antibiotics in dairy products, and companies' claims of "no antibiotics" or "natural" are coming under scrutiny.
Sargento has faced additional lawsuits regarding its "no antibiotics" claims, with allegations that their products sometimes contain antibiotics. These lawsuits reflect consumers' reasonable beliefs and expectations about the claims made on food labels.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Sargento cheese and the lawsuits it faces underscores the importance of transparency and accuracy in food labelling, especially when it comes to the use of hormones and antibiotics in dairy products.
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Sargento cheese is safe, according to the FDA
Despite the FDA's findings, Sargento has faced lawsuits over its use of the term 'natural cheese'. In 2017, a lawsuit was filed against Sargento Foods by attorney Michael Reese, alleging that reasonable consumers would not expect cheese labelled 'natural' to be made with milk from cows treated with recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rbST) or fed genetically engineered feed. The lawsuit also claimed that Sargento's products sometimes contain antibiotics, which contradicts its 'no antibiotics' claims.
Sargento has denied these allegations, arguing that consumers understand the difference between 'natural cheese' and 'processed cheese'. They also stated that their cheese is made from milk that does not contain antibiotics, and that they routinely test their milk for commonly used antibiotics to ensure that no residues are present.
While Sargento has faced legal challenges regarding its labelling and advertising practices, the FDA has affirmed the safety of its cheese products, specifically addressing the use of rbST in dairy cows. It is important to note that the FDA is currently examining the use of the term 'natural' on food packaging.
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Frequently asked questions
Sargento has been sued in the past over claims that its cheese is 'natural' despite being made from milk from cows fed with rBST. Sargento has denied these claims, arguing that consumers understand the difference between 'natural cheese' and 'processed cheese'.
Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), also known as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), is a synthetic version of the bovine hormone somatotropin. It is sometimes given to dairy cows to increase milk production.
Some consumers may want to avoid cheese made with milk from cows treated with rBST because of concerns about the potential effects of artificial hormones on their health or the environment.
Yes, some cheese brands that are rBST-free include Tillamook, Kroger, and possibly others.
