Deceptive mini Fireball bottles do not contain whiskey
If you’re reaching for a shot-sized bottle of Fireball at the grocery store, you might want to read this. The small bottle may not contain whiskey, but instead a “malt-flavored beverage.” “These are tough economic times. Consumers, Maine residents, have a right to have their money go to things that are what they say they are,” said attorney Spencer Sheehan. In a new lawsuit, a customer represented by Sheehan claims that the similar bottles in different stores are misleading them. who buys the cinnamon flavored alcohol. “Before I even realized it wasn’t whiskey, I wouldn’t have tried another one of these again,”[ads1]; said Tom, a shopper in Westbrook. The lawsuit called the labels “almost identical,” and said the manufacturer intended consumers to mistake what was inside. “It’s still something they pay more for,” Sheehan said. Now, Fireball whiskey maker Sazarec is being sued for $5 million. The lawsuit goes on to explain the difference between the two liquids: Whiskey is a distilled spirit, and a malt liquor is a beverage based on fermentation to which flavors and colors are later added. The lawsuit claims that those picking up the product at a grocery store would not even realize that the word “Whisky” was missing from the small bottle. “‘Fireball’ is not qualified by the word ‘brand,’ which may alert purchasers that what they are purchasing bears little relation to cinnamon whiskey,” the lawsuit states. The bottle says it’s a malt beverage, but the suit adds that it’s the smallest size allowed when it comes to the font at the bottom of the bottle. In addition to the small print, the document claims that no t to put the word “taste” after the words “Natural Whiskey” will continue to mislead buyers who expect what is in the larger bottle bought in liquor stores. The mini bottles are sold at a premium price of $0.99, which the lawsuit alleges is more than the plaintiff would have paid had she known about the deceptive packaging. The lawsuit continues: “(T)he plaintiff is unable to rely on the labeling of not only this product, but other flavored malt beverages that use the names of spirits, because she is unsure whether their representations are truthful.” Fireball is accused of directly marketing and representing the bottles as whiskey rather than a malt beverage, as the lawsuit alleges fraud and negligent misrepresentation of the product. The class action lawsuit seeks to have Fireball correct its “practices” and to be awarded monetary, statutory and/or punitive damages, among other things. You can read the full lawsuit by clicking here.
If you’re reaching for a shot-sized bottle of Fireball at the grocery store, you might want to read this. The small bottle may not contain whiskey, but instead a “malt-flavored beverage.”
– These are tough economic times. Consumers, Maine residents, have a right to have their money go to things that are what they say they are,” said attorney Spencer Sheehan.
In a new lawsuit, a customer represented by Sheehan claims that the similar bottles in different stores are misleading to those buying the cinnamon-flavored alcohol.
“Before I even realized it wasn’t whiskey, I wouldn’t have tried another one of them again,” said Tom, a shopper in Westbrook.
The lawsuit called the labels “almost identical,” and said the manufacturer intended consumers to mistake what was inside.
“It’s still something they pay more for,” Sheehan said.
Now Fireball whiskey’s producer Sazarec is being sued for $5 million.
The lawsuit goes on to explain the difference between the two liquids: Whiskey is a distilled spirit, and a malt liquor is a beverage based on fermentation to which flavors and colors are later added.
The lawsuit alleges that those picking up the product at a grocery store would not even realize that the word “Whisky” was missing from the small bottle.
“‘Fireball’ is not qualified by the word ‘brand,’ which may alert purchasers that what they are purchasing bears little relation to cinnamon whiskey,” the lawsuit states.
The bottle says it’s a malt beverage, but the suit adds that it’s the smallest size allowed when it comes to the font at the bottom of the bottle.
In addition to the small font, the document claims that not putting the word “flavor” after the words “Natural Whiskey” will continue to mislead buyers who expect what’s in the larger bottle bought in liquor stores.
The mini bottles are sold at a premium of $0.99, which the lawsuit alleges is more than the plaintiff would have paid had she known about the deceptive packaging.
The lawsuit continues: “(The) plaintiff is unable to rely on the labeling of not only this product, but other flavored malt beverages that use the names of distilled spirits, because she is unsure whether their representations are true.”
Fireball is accused of directly marketing and representing the bottles as whiskey rather than a malt beverage, as the lawsuit alleges fraud and negligent misrepresentation of the product.
The class action lawsuit seeks to have Fireball correct its “practices” and to be awarded monetary, statutory and/or punitive damages, among other things.
You can read the full lawsuit by clicking here.
