Court Approves $6.1 Million Settlement of Truvia False Advertising Lawsuit

Howerton v. Cargill, Inc., No. 13-00336 LEK-BMK (D. Haw.):  A federal court in Hawaii has given final approval to a nationwide class action settlement involving Cargill's Truvia sweetener.  The plaintiffs alleged that Cargill marketed the sweetener as "natural" when it actually contains synthetic and chemically produced ingredients.  Under the settlement, Cargill will pay $6.1 million into a settlement fund.  Class members who file claims can receive up to $45 in cash or $90 in vouchers.  Class counsel will receive $1.8 in attorneys' fees, which will be deducted from the settlement fund.  Cargill also agreed to certain label changes to clarify its "Nature's Calorie-Free Sweetener" and "Truvia Natural Sweetener provides the same sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar" statements, remove the phrase "similar to making tea" from all Truvia packaging, and update the Truvia website to better explain the how Truvia is manufactured.  Order.