Target Can’t Shed False-Ad Suit Over All-Natural Pasta Sauce

Target Corp. failed to convince a federal judge to toss a proposed class action alleging it misled consumers into thinking its pasta sauces are all-natural despite containing artificial citric acid.

The US District Court for the Central District of California denied Target’s motion to dismiss on Thursday. Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald said Target was trying to impose “too stringent” a standard on the consumer’s pleadings.

Plaintiff Jennifer Carbine alleged Target’s Good and Gather brand of pasta sauces are deceptively advertised as being free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Carbine said the products contain an industrially manufactured version of citric ...