Kroger Sued Over "No Preservatives" Claims in Fruit Bars

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges Kroger's Simple Truth Fruit & Grain Bars are falsely labeled as "no preservatives" because they contain citric acid, a synthetic ingredient classified as a preservative.

Consumers Affected: U.S. consumers who purchased Simple Truth Fruit & Grain Bars with a "no preservatives" label.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Grocery giant The Kroger Co. dupes consumers with false “no preservatives” claims on its Simple Truth Fruit & Grain Bars, a new lawsuit claims. The lawsuit alleges that despite labeling the bars as preservative-free, the products contain citric acid, an ingredient widely recognized by both the FDA and USDA as a chemical preservative.

According to the complaint, Kroger’s use of the “no preservatives” label misleads health-conscious shoppers into believing they’re buying cleaner, more natural products. Instead, the bars contain synthetic citric acid, which the FDA specifically lists as a preservative used in jellies, fruit sauces, and other processed foods.

Shopper Says Label Promise Did Not Match Reality

Mary Antossyan, a California resident who purchased one of the bars from a Ralphs store in Glendale earlier this year, filed the proposed class action lawsuit. 

Antossyan says she paid $3.29 for the product, relying on the label’s promise of being preservative-free and organic. She claims she would not have bought the bar, or would have paid less, had she known the truth.

The lawsuit says that, like many consumers, Antossyan seeks to avoid preservatives for health reasons and places trust in food labels when choosing products. She argues that Kroger’s mislabeling not only cost her money but also robbed her of the ability to make informed decisions about what she eats.

Lawsuit Claims Citric Acid Is a Synthetic Preservative

Citric acid does occur naturally in citrus fruits, but the version used in mass-produced food is usually synthetic, made through fermentation using black mold. The FDA and USDA both classify citric acid as a preservative when it functions to prevent spoilage or decay in products like jellies or fruit fillings.

Kroger’s Fruit & Grain Bars include a jelly-like fruit filling that contains citric acid, along with syrup, sugar, and flavoring. This raises red flags about the company’s “no preservatives” promise, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit points to studies that suggest synthetic citric acid may cause adverse reactions like joint pain or digestive issues.

Brands Face Growing Legal Pushback on "Clean Label" Claims

Kroger isn’t the only major company under fire for allegedly deceptive food labeling. Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz (Capri Sun), and Flagstone Foods (Emerald Nuts) are all facing lawsuits over products marketed as preservative- or additive-free that contain synthetic citric acid. 

In each case, plaintiffs argue that the labels are not just misleading—they’re illegal under consumer protection laws. The FDA has also sent warning letters to Chiquita and Fresh Express for similar violations, signaling that false “clean label” claims are increasingly in regulators’ crosshairs.

Antossyan is asking to represent anyone in the U.S. who bought the bars in the past four years. She’s suing for damages, legal costs, and an injunction to stop Kroger from falsely labeling its products. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Antossyan v. The Kroger Co. 
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-05165-GW-MBK
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California 

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Todd M. Friedman (Todd M. Friedman, Esq.)

Do you look out for citric acid in the ingredients list when you do your shopping? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.