Williams v. Gerber Products Co

I. BACKGROUND

Appellants bought Gerber’s Fruit Juice Snacks because they sought healthy snacks for their children (ages two and three) and because they trusted the Gerber name. Fruit Juice Snacks are sold as part of Gerber’s “Graduates for Toddlers” WILLIAMS v. GERBER 4191 product line. Appellants’ amended complaint alleged eight causes of action, including tort claims for misrepresentation and breach of warranty, as well as claims under California’s Unfair Competition Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200 et seq., and California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Cal. Civil Code § 1750 et seq. Appellants challenged five features of the packaging used by Gerber to sell its Fruit Juice Snacks.1 First, Appellants challenged the use of the words “Fruit Juice” juxtaposed alongside images of fruits such as oranges, peaches, strawberries, and cherries. Appellants contended that this juxtaposition was deceptive because the product con- tained no fruit juice from any of the fruits pictured on the packaging and because the only juice contained in the product was white grape juice from concentrate. Second, Appellants challenged a statement on the side panel of the…