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Velveeta’s microwavable shell and cheese product takes just three and a half minutes to heat up – one of the quickest quick lunches. Florida woman Amanda Ramirez claims it’s not that simple.
Ramirez’s lawyers have filed a report court documents with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on Nov. 18. In the lawsuit against Kraft Heinz Foods Company, Ramirez claims that reheating an individual serving of Velveeta Shells & Cheese takes longer to prepare than advertised. She is seeking $5 million in damages.
According to the complaint, the instructions on the packaging are “false and misleading”. Although the label says to microwave shells and cheese by 3:30 p.m., Ramirez’s attorneys argue the timing doesn’t allow all the steps required to make the meal. They claim that if you add those—remove the lid and sauce sachet, add water, reheat, then stir—there’s no way the pasta will be ready in just 3:30.
The 15-page lawsuit also argues that the claim is well founded because Kraft essentially makes money as “as a result of … false and misleading statements”.
“The product is being sold at a higher price,” the complaint says, “approximately not less than $10.99 for eight 2.39 oz cups, excluding tax and sales, higher than comparable products, displayed in a non-misleading manner , and higher than it should be.” be sold without the misleading representations and omissions.”
Ramirez is not only seeking $5 million in damages, but also a new ad campaign that will correct the alleged misinformation.
Perhaps predictably, Heinz Foods issued a statement to CNN in which the company called the lawsuit “frivolous” and said it “will vigorously defend the allegations in the complaint.”
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.