Whole Foods ‘Natural' Items Have Chemical, Suit Says

Whole Foods Market Inc. deceptively labels muffins, apple pie, cookies and other snacks as “all natural” when they contain a synthetic ingredient, according to a would-be consumer class suit filed Nov. 8 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Garrison v. Whole Food Market Inc., N.D. Cal., No. 13-05333).

California residents Mary and Grace Garrison allege they paid a premium price for various products, including Whole Foods’s All Natural Blueberry Mini Muffins and Whole Foods All Natural Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes, in reliance in the label.

Whole Foods promotes itself as carrying natural and ...