A class action filed on February 21, 2025, in federal court in Los Angeles said Pure Leaf’s “Brewed in USA” label was misleading because the tea leaves are imported.
The lawsuit
- Daldalian v. PepsiCo, Inc., No. 2:25-cv-01491 (C.D. Cal.), named PepsiCo, Unilever (Conopco Inc.) and the Pepsi Lipton Tea Partnership, which does business as Pure Leaf Tea.
- The plaintiff bought a six-pack of Pure Leaf Lemon tea labeled “Brewed in USA,” with a USA flag above the claim.
- The complaint quoted Pure Leaf’s website, which says its tea leaves come from estates in India, Kenya, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
- It claimed violations of California’s consumer protection laws and sought to represent California buyers from the past four years.
The defendants argued no reasonable shopper would read “Brewed in USA” to mean every ingredient is domestic. A federal judge later granted their motion to dismiss.
Why it matters for Made in USA
“Brewed in USA” names one step, not the whole product. Claims like that can be truthful when the step happens here, but a flag next to the claim can suggest more. Kazerouni Law Group, which filed this case, also filed Made in USA suits against Dermalogica and Paula’s Choice. Related: the Dermalogica and Paula’s Choice suits.
FAQ
What was the claim?
That “Brewed in USA” next to a USA flag implied a fully domestic product, even though the tea leaves are imported.
Where do the tea leaves come from?
Pure Leaf’s website says India, Kenya, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
What happened to the case?
A federal judge granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss.
Source & credit
Sources: court filings via Truth in Advertising: “Daldalian v. PepsiCo complaint” (February 21, 2025) and order on motion to dismiss. Additional reporting: Packaging Digest, May 13, 2025.