Overview of Lawsuits Facing Ancient Nutrition
Ancient Brands, LLC, which operates as Ancient Nutrition, has encountered multiple legal challenges, primarily class-action lawsuits from consumers and at least one from a competitor. These legal actions often focus on allegations of misleading advertising concerning the content, quality, and claimed benefits of the company's supplements. The disputes involve various products and span several years, raising questions about the clarity and truthfulness of Ancient Nutrition's marketing.
The Bone Broth Protein Class Action
A significant legal case involves Ancient Nutrition's Bone Broth Protein products. This class action alleges that the company falsely advertised the amount of digestible protein. A key element of the claim is that collagen, a main protein source in these products, has a low Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS), indicating it is a low-quality protein. The lawsuit contends that by stating a specific protein amount (e.g., "20g Protein"), Ancient Brands should have used the PDCAAS method to reflect protein quality, not just the total amount based on nitrogen. Subclasses of consumers in states like New York and California have been part of this litigation. A ruling in 2024 determined that the plaintiffs' claims were not federally preempted, allowing the case to move forward.
The Brain Boost Supplement Lawsuit
In March 2023, another class action was initiated against Ancient Nutrition, this time targeting its "Brain Boost" product. The lawsuit claims that the company falsely marketed the product as being scientifically studied and proven to enhance cognitive function. The complaint asserts that the product's ingredients lack scientific backing for the promised cognitive advantages and that the company used misleading language like "clinically studied" and "backed by proven research". The plaintiff describes the product as essentially a flavored protein powder that does not deliver increased mental clarity or concentration as advertised. This case is currently ongoing in a New York federal court.
Other Legal Disputes and Investigations
Beyond consumer class actions, Ancient Nutrition has been involved in other legal conflicts. In 2022, Vital Proteins LLC, a competitor, filed a lawsuit alleging false advertising and unfair competition related to Ancient Brands' collagen peptide products, to which Ancient Nutrition filed counterclaims. Furthermore, there have been investigations into Ancient Nutrition's Plant Protein+ products, with accusations that the company's protein claims are inaccurate. Lawyers suggest that the use of plant proteins with lower bioavailability makes the overall protein content and quality claims deceptive.
The Core Allegations Against Ancient Nutrition
- Misleading Protein Claims: Lawsuits consistently address how Ancient Nutrition presents protein information, such as the bone broth case focusing on the promotion of a high total protein count despite using less digestible collagen. This practice is alleged to violate consumer protection laws that require accurate nutritional representation.
- Unsupported Health Claims: The Brain Boost lawsuit exemplifies claims of unsupported health benefits. The company is accused of deceptively linking its products to scientific validity that, according to legal documents, does not exist for the specific formulas.
- Deceptive Marketing: Plaintiffs in various lawsuits argue that Ancient Nutrition's marketing tactics mislead consumers into paying higher prices for products that do not perform as advertised. This includes utilizing ambiguous terms like "clinically studied" and not providing protein digestibility information when making specific protein claims.
Comparative Overview of Allegations
| Feature | Bone Broth Protein Lawsuit | Brain Boost Lawsuit | Vital Proteins Lawsuit | Plant Protein Investigation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product(s) Targeted | Bone Broth Protein powders | Multi-Collagen Protein, Brain Boost | Collagen peptide products | Plant Protein+ powders |
| Core Allegation | Misleading protein quality/digestibility | Falsely advertised cognitive benefits | False advertising and unfair competition | Misleading protein bioavailability |
| Primary Legal Claim | Violation of consumer protection laws, false advertising | Violation of consumer protection laws, false advertising | Lanham Act violations, unfair competition | Violation of state/federal consumer laws |
| Status (approximate) | Active (ongoing litigation, motions heard in 2024) | Active (filed in 2023) | Litigated (filed in 2022, counterclaims filed) | Active investigation (as of 2024) |
| Representative Class | Nationwide class, incl. NY & CA subclasses | New York consumers | Business entities (competitor) | Potential class of consumers |
What These Legal Actions Mean for Consumers
These ongoing legal challenges highlight increased scrutiny of how the dietary supplement industry markets and labels its products. For consumers, the outcomes hold potential significance:
- The cases advocate for more accurate and clear labeling from supplement companies.
- Consumers may potentially receive financial compensation should a class action be resolved through settlement or judgment favoring consumers.
- By bringing these issues to light, consumers are better positioned to make informed decisions when buying supplements and to hold companies accountable for misleading claims.
For ongoing news and updates on dietary supplement legal cases, resources like ClassAction.org can be helpful: {Link: ClassAction.org https://www.classaction.org/news/category/food-drug-cosmetics-act}.
Conclusion
Ancient Nutrition is facing multiple lawsuits alleging false and misleading advertising, particularly regarding the protein content and quality of its products and the claimed cognitive benefits of its Brain Boost supplement. These legal challenges, including consumer class actions and a competitor's lawsuit, emphasize the need for transparency in the supplement market and the possibility of legal action when companies make unsubstantiated claims. Their developments and potential resolutions are being followed by both consumers and those observing the industry.
