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Mac and cheese isn't really ready in 3.5…

Consumer Law Mac and cheese isn't really ready in 3.5 minutes, lawsuit claims

By Debra Cassens Weiss

November 29, 2022, 9:10 am CST

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Image from the Nov. 18 lawsuit.

A Florida woman has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the Kraft Heinz Foods Co. misled consumers when it claimed that its Velveeta Shells & Cheese product is “ready in 3.5 minutes.”

The Nov. 18 would-be class action says the 3.5 minutes represents the time to microwave the product, which is one of four steps that consumers must take before the shells and cheese are ready to eat.

Consumers must also remove the lid and cheese sauce pouch; add water to the cup and stir; and, after microwaving, stir in the cheese sauce. Consumers also learn that the cheese sauce will “thicken upon standing.”

The deceptive claim allows the Kraft Heinz Foods Co. to charge a premium price for the product, the suit says.

Consumer Amanda Ramirez of Hialeah, Florida, filed the suit in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida. She is represented by the Wright Law Office and Sheehan & Associates. The latter law firm has filed more than 400 lawsuits alleging deceptive labeling of food products, according to a June 2022 ABA Journal article.

The suit alleges violation of Florida laws regarding unfair trade practices, consumer fraud and misleading advertising. It also alleges breach of warranty, negligent misrepresentation, fraud and unjust enrichment.

The Washington Post covered the lawsuit.

The Kraft Heinz Foods Co. told the Washington Post in a statement that the lawsuit is frivolous, and the company will “strongly defend against the allegations.”

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