WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. is being sued for false advertising in federal court, accused of selling blueberry, maple and raspberry-filled doughnuts that don’t contain any real fruit or maple syrup.
The Winston-Salem Journal reported that the lawsuit was filed Nov. 9 in the Central District of California by a law firm — Faruqi & Faruqi LLP — that specializes in consumer class-action cases.
The Winston-Salem company has not filed a response to the complaint by Jason Saidian, which contains 10 allegations. Krispy Kreme declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
Saidian is a resident of Los Angeles County who bought the doughnuts in 2015.
What moves the lawsuit from being considered as potentially frivolous is that California law has a low bar for proving violations of business and professions code as well as false advertising and breach of contract. The complaint also seeks national class-action status.
The plaintiff is requesting at least $5 million in damages as well as disgorging of profits made from the products.