Shoppers looking for a stronger morning boost are now taking Trader Joe’s to court over claims that one of its coffees does not deliver the caffeine consumers expect.
Several customers have filed a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing Trader Joe’s of selling a French Roast Low Acid whole bean coffee that allegedly contains far less caffeine than standard coffee blends. According to the complaint, the product is marketed as regular coffee even though plaintiffs claim it contains roughly half the caffeine level many buyers assume comes with a typical roast.
The lawsuit was reportedly filed in California and includes plaintiffs from California, New York, and Illinois. At the center of the dispute is the argument that the packaging does not warn customers they may be buying a reduced-caffeine product. Consumers say terms like decaf and half-caff are commonly labeled in stores, but they claim no similar notice appears on this item.
“For example, full caffeinated coffee does not have any special labeling denoting that it is fully caffeinated, but ‘decaf’ and ‘half-caff’ coffees are labeled as such. Here, the product does not disclose that it is ‘decaf’ and ‘half-caff’ coffee,” the complaint states.
Plaintiffs are also seeking damages, saying caffeine content can directly influence purchasing decisions for people who rely on coffee to stay alert and productive throughout the day.
“It is so common that it is now cliché that coffee drinkers depend on the caffeine contained therein to provide them with the energy they need to get through the day. Accordingly, the amount of caffeine in a coffee blend affects a consumer’s purchasing decision,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit also asks that the product be removed from shelves. Trader Joe’s had not publicly responded to the claims at the time of reporting.
