Connecticut Judge Upholds Lawsuit Accusing "Poland Spring" Brand of Misleading Marketing Regarding Its Bottled Water Origin
In a recent development, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer has rejected several claims in a class-action lawsuit alleging that Poland Spring bottled water is deceptively labeled. The lawsuit, filed in 2017, is a benefit-of-the-bargain case that accuses Nestle, the parent company of Poland Spring, of breaching and exploiting customers' trust to reap massive undue sales and profits.
The lawsuit moves forward, with claims of false labeling and deceptive marketing against Poland Spring still in question. Meyer's 61-page decision did not grant an injunction against the sale of Poland Spring-branded water.
The lawsuit alleges that Poland Spring water is not naturally sourced from a spring, a claim that Nestle Waters North America has rejected, labeling it as an attempt to manipulate the legal system for personal gain. However, the issue of whether Poland Spring qualifies as "spring water" under the laws of several states has yet to be answered.
Some states strictly define "spring water" as water that flows naturally from an underground source directly to the bottle with minimal treatment. Issues raised include whether Poland Spring’s water consistently comes from uncontaminated springs or if municipal water sources are mixed in, which would contravene these definitions.
Meyer wrote that it is not yet apparent whether Poland Spring water qualifies as "spring water" under the laws of the states of the class members. He contested the plaintiffs' assertion that they sometimes have no choice but to purchase Poland Spring Water, stating that being thirsty is not usually an emergency, and it would be uncommon for a vendor to only have water, and only one variety thereof, available as a beverage.
On the other hand, Meyer stated that plaintiffs have produced evidence that consumers consider spring water to be more valuable than other water and have reasonably quantified that difference in value.
Despite the ongoing litigation, Nestle remains highly confident in its legal position regarding the lawsuit. A Nestle Waters North America spokesperson stated that Poland Spring is 100% spring water.
As the legal battle continues, it is clear that the definition and source of Poland Spring's water are subjects of contention, with disputes about its adherence to the legal standards for spring water. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the bottled water industry and consumer perceptions of Poland Spring and other brands.
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