A class action lawsuit has been filed against McDonald’s, claiming it misleads customers who purchase a vanilla ice cream cone because it is not made with “natural flavor” as the ingredients indicate. 

"The representations for the Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream are misleading because this gives consumers the impression that all of the vanilla taste is from vanilla beans, when this is not true and misleads consumers," the class action lawsuit contends.

In addition to demanding that the advertising be corrected, the lawsuit seeks to collect damages, claiming a premium is charged for vanilla ice cream. 

"Plaintiff would not have purchased or paid more for the Product had Plaintiff realized that much, if not all, of the vanilla flavor came from non-vanilla plant sources," according to the McDonald’s class action lawsuit.

Additionally, the class action lawsuit is seeking potential Class Members "residing in California who have purchased McDonald’s Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream and other dessert items which feature the Vanilla Soft Serve, i.e., Vanilla Shake, for their own use” since 2014. The class action lawsuit says "global climate disruptions" hitting the vanilla industry have led food companies "to cut corners" while selling "premium vanilla" products.

—Source: topclassactions.com