Augustine v. Talking Rain Beverage Co.

386 F. Supp. 3d 1317
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. California
DecidedApril 12, 2019
DocketCase No.: 18-cv-2576-CAB-BGS
StatusPublished
Cited by17 cases

This text of 386 F. Supp. 3d 1317 (Augustine v. Talking Rain Beverage Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Augustine v. Talking Rain Beverage Co., 386 F. Supp. 3d 1317 (S.D. Cal. 2019).

Opinion

Hon. Cathy Ann Bencivengo, United States District Judge

This matter comes before the Court on Talking Rain Beverage Company Inc.'s *1322("Talking Rain") motion to dismiss. [Doc. No. 14.] The motion has been fully briefed and the Court finds it suitable for determination on the papers and without oral argument. See S.D. Cal. CivLR 7.1(d)(1). For the reasons set forth below, Defendant's motion is granted in part and denied in part.

I. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On November 9, 2018, Plaintiffs filed a consumer class action complaint against Talking Rain, seeking damages and equitable relief for the alleged false and misleading labeling on Defendant's Sparkling Ice products. [Doc. No. 1, at ¶¶ 1-7.] The complaint alleges violations of California's False Advertising Law ("FAL") Business & Professions Code § 17500, et seq. ; the Unfair Competition Law, Business & Professions Code § 17200, et seq. ("UCL"); California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act, California Civil Code § 1750, et seq. ("CLRA"); fraud by omission; negligent misrepresentation; breach of express warranties; and breach of implied warranties.

On January 28, 201, Plaintiffs filed the First Amended Complaint ("FAC"). [Doc. No. 12.] The FAC asserts FAL, UCL, CLRA, fraud by omission; negligent misrepresentation; breach of express warranties; and breach of implied warranties against Defendant for misrepresenting and misleading consumers regarding the Sparkling Ice beverages (the "Products").1 [Id. ] The FAC alleges that "the Products are labeled as if they are flavored only with natural ingredients when they in fact contain an undisclosed artificial flavor, d-1-malic acid, in violation of state and federal law", namely 21 C.F.R. § 101.22 which regulates the labelling of food containing artificial ingredients, and C.F.R. § 102.5 which provides food labels accurately identify and describe the basic nature of the food, its characterizing properties or ingredients. [Id. at ¶ 7.] Further, Plaintiffs contend they relied on the labeling and believed they were buying all-natural products with natural flavoring ingredients, instead of the artificially flavored sparkling water purchased. [Id. at ¶ 67.] Both Plaintiffs have purchased the beverages several times, most recently in 2018, with Augustine purchasing the Products at a Ralph's grocery store in San Diego, California and Garfinkel buying the Products at a Ralph's in West Hollywood, California.2 [Id. at ¶¶ 63, 65.] Had the Products not claimed to be naturally flavored, Plaintiffs allege that they would have not purchased them, or alternatively, had they known they were not free of artificial flavoring, they would not have purchased them at the premium price. [Id. at ¶¶ 69-72.]

Further, the FAC alleges that Defendant's labeling and advertising scheme is deliberately intended to give consumers the false impression that the Products are composed only of natural flavors and contain no artificial colors or flavors. [Id. at ¶ 16.] In order to perpetuate the alleged misrepresentation, the label prominently displays a "naturally flavored designation," and omits the legally required "artificially flavored" disclosure, yet an ingredient *1323identified on the back "malic acid," is an artificial flavor. [Id. at ¶¶ 17-24.] Subsequent to purchasing the Products, Plaintiffs have tested the Products and confirmed the presence of artificial d-1 malic acid. [Id. at ¶¶ 28-36.]

Plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide class consisting of "all U.S. citizens who purchased the Products in their respective state of citizenship on or after January 1, 2012 and until the Class is certified, for personal use and not for resale, excluding Defendant and Defendant's officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates, and the Court and its staff." [Id. at ¶ 75.] Plaintiffs also seek to represent a California Class defined as "all California citizens who made retail purchases of the Products in California on or after January 1, 2012 and until the Class is certified, for personal use and not for resale, excluding Defendant and for Defendant's officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates, and the Court and its staff." [Id. at ¶ 76.] The FAC's Prayer for Relief includes, among other things, an order enjoining Defendant's deceptive and unfair practice, requiring it to "conduct corrective advertising," restitution, disgorgement and an award of actual and punitive damages. [Id. at 28-20.3 ]

On February 11, 2018, Defendant moved to dismiss Plaintiffs' FAC pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1) and Rule 12(b)(6). [Doc. No. 18.] Plaintiffs filed an opposition to the motion [Doc. No. 18] and Defendant filed its reply [Doc. No. 19]. Along with their motions, both parties filed requests for Judicial Notice.4 [Doc. Nos 15, 18-1.]

II. LEGAL STANDARD

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1) allows a party to move to dismiss based on the court's lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1). Plaintiffs have the burden of establishing that the court has subject matter jurisdiction over an action. Assoc. of Med. Colls. v. U.S. , 217 F.3d 770, 778-79 (9th Cir. 2000). In a class action at least one of the named plaintiffs must meet the Article III standing requirements. Bates v. United Parcel Servs., Inc. , 511 F.3d 974, 985 (9th Cir. 2007). Article III requires that: "(1) at least one named plaintiff suffered an injury in fact, (2) the injury is fairly traceable to the challenged conduct, and (3) the injury is likely to be redressed by a favorable decision."

*1324Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife , 504 U.S. 555, 560-61, 112 S.Ct. 2130, 119 L.Ed.2d 351 (1992) (quotation marks and citation omitted).

Under Rule 12(b)(6), a party may bring a motion to dismiss based on the failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.

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Bluebook (online)
386 F. Supp. 3d 1317, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/augustine-v-talking-rain-beverage-co-casd-2019.