Popular protein bars loved by fitness fanatics are packed with extra fat and calories, according to new lawsuit
A new lawsuit has been filed against David Protein over claims the products have more fat and calories than the labels state.
Lead plaintiff Danielle Lopez filed a class action complaint against Linus Technologies Inc, which does business as David Protein, on January 23. The complaint alleges that the brand misrepresented the calorie and fat content of its protein bars, which would be a violation of both state and federal consumer laws.
The brand claims the bars have 28g of protein, 0g of sugar, 2g of fat, 12g of carbs and 150 calories.
However, the complaint states the bars, which cost $3.25 each, have 83 percent more calories and 400 percent more fat than advertised.
The complaint includes test results from an unspecified ‘accredited laboratory,’ which found between 268 and 275 calories per serving and anywhere from 11 to 13.5g of fat.
Additionally, the lawsuit claims David Protein knowingly misled consumers by using incorrect nutrition labels, causing them to be uninformed about their purchases.
Flavors that allegedly contain more fat and calories than advertised include Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cinnamon Roll and Fudge Brownie, according to the complaint.
The plaintiffs have argued that the misrepresentation violates FDA regulations, which require that the actual nutrient content of food products does not exceed the declared value by more than 20 percent.
David Protein has been hit with a class action complaint for several of its bars allegedly containing up to 400 percent more calories and fat than the labels indicate (stock image)
The complaint says it seeks to represent customers who purchased the misbranded bars in the United States.
Plaintiffs claim that if consumers had been properly informed of the nutritional content, they would either not have bought the bars or would have paid less.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, David Protein founder Peter Rahal said the products were accurately labeled, but noted: ‘This particular claim, among other things, fails to understand how the FDA measures the calories for EPG, one of our key ingredients.
‘We intend to defend this claim vigorously.’
EPG, which stands for esterified propoxylated glycerol, is a plant-based fat substitute that’s designed to replace traditional fats and reduce calories by as much as 92 percent.
It’s meant to mimic the texture and taste of real fat, but it is not absorbed by the body because it resists digestive enzymes, proteins that break food down into smaller, absorbable nutrients.
EPG has also been found in other sweets, some brands of peanut butter and salty snacks.
The bars in the lawsuit claim to have 28 grams of protein, which is essential for maintaining fullness (stock image)
A 2014 study found that consuming 25 to 40g of EPG per day could raise the risk of gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, oily stools and rectal bleeding. This could be because it remains intact during digestion and is not broken down.
The plaintiffs behind the complaint say they are seeking damages, restitution (restoration of something lost or stolen to its owner) and injunction relief (a court-ordered remedy forcing a party to perform or stop certain actions) to prevent David Protein from selling misbranded products.
Health authorities recommend that average, relatively sedentary adults get 0.36g of protein per 1lb of body weight, but this varies based on activity level. For a sedentary person weighing 150lbs, they should consume about 55g of protein in a day.
A 2,000-calorie diet is standard for most Americans, and fat should make up 20 to 35 percent of daily calories (44 to 78g for a 2,000-calorie diet).
