French consumer protection association UFC-Que Choisir, which is in the forefront of a national campaign to fight obesity, plans to take French bakery group Harry’s (part of the Barilla group) to court over claims that its Doo Wap brand of brioche helps child growth.
The association claims that consuming of the product is more likely to lead to children putting on weight.
The association has also levelled accusations of misleading advertising at NestléWaters France with regard to its mineral water brand Vittel and in particular, one its flavoured varieties.
It says other products are in its sights including Chupa Chups lollipops which although “completely fat free have a 100% sugar content” and Danone’s range of Taillefine diet biscuits – “four times more rich in fat than LU’s fruit-filled (non-diet) “Barquettes” biscuit brand.
The association is claiming €20,000 (US$24,120) in damages from each firm whose advertising it considers to be misinformative to consumers.