US spice maker Watkins Inc has added black peppercorn grinders to its lawsuit against McCormick & Co that alleges the flavours giant "slack fills" its pepper tins.

According to Watkins, McCormick has reduced the contents of its tins by 25% and grinders by approximately 20%, in violation of federal "slack fill" prohibitions. The company initially filed a lawsuit against McCormick at the beginning of this month. Watkins claims McCormick is attempting to "deceive and confuse retailers and their customers" by trying to make the tins and grinders look like they contain more than they do.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Watkins' CEO Mark Jacobs said: "If McCormick is permitted to blatantly violate the slack fill regulations which are designed to protect the consumer and keep the competitive marketplace fair, what's next?…selling an 8 ounce container with 1 ounce in it and then telling the consumers they should read the labels more carefully?"

McCormick has said it believes the suit is not justified and insisted that it will defend itself "vigorously."

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now