Lawsuit Regarding Misleading Marketing of Poland Spring Bottled Water Not Dismissed by Connecticut Judge
Poland Spring water, a historic brand that has been bottling water since 1845, is currently embroiled in a legal dispute over its labeling and product claims. A class-action lawsuit, filed in 2017, alleges that Nestle, the parent company of Poland Spring, is breaching and exploiting customers' trust for undue sales and profits.
The lawsuit alleges that Poland Spring water is not actually spring water, and this issue remains unresolved. The U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer has not dismissed the lawsuit, stating that in a benefit-of-the-bargain case, the plaintiffs' evidence is enough at the summary judgment stage to create an issue of fact as to ascertainable loss.
The regulatory status of Poland Spring as spring water under FDA and regulatory definitions in the U.S. remains intact. However, the issue of whether Poland Spring qualifies as "spring water" under the laws of several states has yet to be answered. Judge Meyer's ruling emphasizes that it is not yet apparent whether Poland Spring water constitutes "spring water" under the laws of the states of the class members involved in the claim.
Nestle has repeatedly rejected the class's claims against Poland Spring, characterizing the lawsuit as an attempt to manipulate the legal system for personal gain. Judge Meyer, however, has contested the plaintiffs' assertion that they have no choice but to purchase Poland Spring Water. He stated that buying Poland Spring Water is not usually an unavoidable reality.
Judge Meyer's 61-page ruling, released on Monday, also rejected several claims detailed in the 2017 class-action lawsuit, including an injunction against the sale of Poland Spring-branded water. The Portland Press Herald reported on Judge Meyer's ruling.
It is important to note that this is not the first time Poland Spring has faced legal challenges. Previous lawsuits have questioned the accuracy of the company's labeling and product claims. For example, one lawsuit alleged that Poland Spring Raspberry Lime Sparkling Water was falsely advertised as containing meaningful amounts of natural fruit, which the company denied and the case faced dismissal motions.
The broader issue of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) contamination found in bottled waters, including Poland Spring, has also led to health concerns and legal scrutiny. However, court decisions have so far been mixed, and some cases have been dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
As the legal battle continues, consumers are left to make informed decisions about the products they choose to purchase. Poland Spring, as a brand, continues to maintain its status as bottled spring water under FDA regulations, but the specifics of its labeling and product claims remain a topic of ongoing debate.
- The class-action lawsuit against Poland Spring water, led by consumers, alleges that Nestle, the parent company, is exploiting customers' trust by misrepresenting Poland Spring as an authentic spring water, potentially affecting the business's financial integrity.
- Despite Nestle's denial, the regulatory status of Poland Spring water in several states, where the class members are located, is yet to be confirmed, raising questions about its business practices and financial implications.
