Ferrero, the makers of the creamy chocolate and hazelnut spread, has settled two class-action lawsuits with consumers who sued over the company’s advertising claims that it was a good-for-you treat. The company will pay out over $3 million to consumers in California and nationwide. Shoppers were thrilled when television commercials touted the sweet spread’s “simple, quality ingredients like hazelnuts, skim milk and a hint of cocoa” as an ideal way to start the day, but a glance at the label proves otherwise.
The complaint is that this ad and others like it play up the healthiness of the breakfast those adorable kids are eating, while neglecting to mention that the few tablespoons of Nutella on their toast contains 200 calories, 11 grams of fat (3.5 grams saturated) and 21 grams of sugar. That’s comparable to a Three Musketeers candy bar.
Ferrero has agreed to change its marketing campaign, modify the Nutella label, modify certain marketing statements about Nutella, create new television ads, and change the Nutella website. Shoppers who bought Nutella between Jan. 1, 2008, and Feb. 3, 2012 (Aug. 1, 2009, and Jan. 23, 2012 if you live in California) can file a claim and join the class action, according to the the official notice from the company.