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Trader Joe’s Sued Over Misleading Low-Acid Coffee Caffeine

4/26/2026

49 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A lawsuit was filed in California on April 23, 2026 against Trader Joe’s alleging deceptive caffeine claims for its French Roast Low Acid coffee.
Lab tests show the coffee has 51 % of the Dark French Roast’s caffeine and 45 % of the House Blend, about half a regular brew.
Plaintiffs from California, New York and Illinois, represented by Trenton Kashima, seek damages and an order to stop sales.
Trader Joe’s has not responded to the suit.

History

Historical Context

In 2014 the FTC settled with Red Bull over unsubstantiated health claims, imposing a $13 million consumer-redress fund and mandatory caffeine labeling. The 2026 California lawsuit against Trader Joe’s mirrors that enforcement as the agency, now chaired by Lina Khan, has intensified product-disclosure scrutiny, continuing a post-2020 trend of aggressive consumer-protection actions.

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Story summary

A lawsuit was filed in California on April 23, 2026 against Trader Joe’s alleging deceptive caffeine claims for its French Roast Low Acid coffee.
Lab tests show the coffee has 51 % of the Dark French Roast’s caffeine and 45 % of the House Blend, about half a regular brew.
Plaintiffs from California, New York and Illinois, represented by Trenton Kashima, seek damages and an order to stop sales.
Trader Joe’s has not responded to the suit.

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