McDonald’s has found itself in a sticky situation involving its mozzarella sticks, which it touts to be made with “100% real cheese.”
Chris Howe of Riverside County, California, begs to differ, filing legal action claiming that this advertising is false, and that he and others who have purchased the snack should all get their $1.27 back, according to Fox News.
The lawsuit reflects that the cheese in the food in question only contains 3.76% mozzarella, while the rest is starch filler. Howe claims that he would not have purchased them if he knew “they were misbranded and adulterated.”
Howe and 40 others are involved in the lawsuit, seeking $5 million in damages from McDonald’s, alleging that testing showed the menu item to contain more water and starch than federal food labeling laws allow.
McDonald’s maintained its position when responding to the lawsuit, stating that its mozzarella cheese sticks are made with 100% low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese.
On its website, the mozzarella sticks are listed with ingredients saying the cheese has two percent or less of additives, including modified potato and food starch, made with “100% real and melty mozzarella cheese.”
“We intend to defend ourselves vigorously against these allegations,” the company stated in its response, according to Fox News.
Whether the case is settled or goes to court, DeliMarket News will keep the industry posted as the story solidifies.
