"This is the closest we are going to get to reparations"- Memes erupt as netizens react to ginger ale class-action lawsuit
Keurig Dr Pepper is on the receiving end of a class-action lawsuit after falsely labeling its Schweppes and Canada Dry ginger ale soda packages. It has been alleged that the organization falsely advertised the ingredients of the products. Netizens have since taken to social media to create memes regarding the situation.
The lawsuit alleged that the ginger ale claimed to be “naturally flavored” when in reality it includes artificial flavoring as well. Social media personality and law expert The Lawyer Angela claimed that the lawsuit included, but was not limited to, “plain, diet, raspberry, grape, black cherry, lemonade, and cranberry” flavors.”
The lawyer, Angela, said in a video that has amassed multimillion views online:
“The lawsuit alleges false advertising, negligent misrepresentation, and all sorts of fraud claims. So when a product is artificially flavored, there are both state and federal laws that require the packaging to say ‘artificial flavors.’ Not only do these drinks not have that label but many of these have actually had the label ‘natural.’”
Netizens have since taken to social media to react to the alleged false advertising. One netizen commented:
Several others shared similar reactions and flooded X with memes. Comments online read:
“Kamala lost, Tyson lost, Ginger Ale lawsuits right before the holidays. November is taking it, it’s something new everyday,” an X user said.
“Not there’s a class action lawsuit against ginger ale. We can’t have nothing around this mf,” a platform user said.
“Me, still sipping on that ginger ale with the artificial flavors. My settlement check might have some weight on it,” a netizen commented.
Evidently, several consumers wanted to be compensated for the false labeling of the product. Other reactions read:
“i need my mf money,” an X user said.
“Let me start keeping my receipt’s cause that’s how they gonna get us,” an internet user said.
“Incoming check for .10,” a netizen stated.
The organization had not released a statement in regards to the allegations at the time of writing this article. Meanwhile, other reactions read:
“This ginger ale lawsuit has Drake feeling pretty happy he supported Sprite and not Canada Dry,” a platform user said.
“As many Black people that consume this product, we are likely looking at 5 dollar payment lol,” a netizen stated.
The lawsuit against Canada Dry alleged that the ginger ale contained “malic acid”
The Lawyer Angela also claimed on TikTok that the lawsuit alleged that the beverages contain “malic acid.” The plaintiff, Lillian Elliot, said in the lawsuit filed in the California federal court:
“Defendant adds synthetic dl-malic acid to the products because without the addition of this synthetic chemical the products would not taste like 'ginger ale.’”
Angela also claimed that the lawsuit alleged that the beverages were using synthetic versions of flavoring “because it’s cheaper” compared to solely getting the natural ingredients.
This is not the first time Canada Dry has been accused of not using real ginger. In 2019, its owners, Keurig Dr Pepper, settled a lawsuit for $11.2 million to remove “made from real ginger” from its labeling.
Nonetheless, a Keurig Dr Pepper spokesperson said in a statement to MarketWatch then that the beverages contain “real ginger.” They said:
“Canada Dry Ginger Ale has and will continue to be made using real ginger extract.”
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that Canada Dry Zero Sugar labels claim that they contain “less than 2% ginger extract,” with the aforementioned lawsuit also claiming that there was such a lesser amount of authentic ginger in the beverage that it could not even be tasted.
Netizens now await the outcome of the lawsuit.