If there is one mantra of these trying times, it’s that it is incumbent upon each one of us to take a stand against injustice. An undisclosed number of US citizens/coffee drinkers from three states have bandied together to do just that. They may not have known each other before, but the members of this new alliance all recently encountered the same wrong: they purchased Trader Joe’s French Roast Low Acid whole bean coffee, and there wasn’t enough caffeine!! “Low acid” refers to, duh, the acid level of the coffee, and low acid varieties can be gentler on the stomach. But it has absolutely nothing to do with the amount of caffeine, and since these particular bags of coffee weren’t labeled “decaf” or “half-caff,” obviously these disgruntled customers were left with no other option but to file a class-action lawsuit against Trader Joe’s and demand that they never ever ever sell this disappointing coffee again! Which the plaintiffs did last Thursday in California:

Several people have filed a lawsuit against Trader Joe’s, claiming that the retailer sold them coffee containing significantly less caffeine than expected.

The class-action lawsuit was filed in California on Thursday, April 23, according to court documents obtained by NBC News, CBS News and the New York Post.

The complaint, which was filed by customers in California, New York and Illinois, alleges that Trader Joe’s-branded French Roast Low Acid whole bean coffee contains half the caffeine of typical coffee blends, according to the outlets.

However, the complaint states that there is nothing on the product’s label that indicates a customer is purchasing a coffee blend with reduced caffeine, per the outlets.

“For example, full caffeinated coffee does not have any special labeling denoting that it is fully caffeinated, but ‘decaf’ and ‘half-caff’ coffees are labeled as such. Here, the product does not disclose that it is ‘decaf’ and ‘half-caff’ coffee,” the complaint states, per NBC News.

The customers are now seeking damages from the company, claiming that many people rely on caffeine to function effectively.

“It is so common that it is now cliché that coffee drinkers depend on the caffeine contained therein to provide them with the energy they need to get through the day. Accordingly, the amount of caffeine in a coffee blend affects a consumer’s purchasing decision,” the complaint states, per CBS News.

The plaintiffs are additionally requesting that Trader Joe’s stop selling the product, which they say contains misleading marketing, according to the outlet.

[From People]

According to NBC News’ reporting, the plaintiffs base their claim — that the Trader Joe’s coffee only has half the caffeine as usual — on tests conducted by “competitors” of TJ’s. Apparently, those tests found the French Roast Low Acid coffee had 51% of the caffeine as the Dark French Roast and 45% of caffeine as the House Blend (all TJ’s varieties). But again, these are the purported results of tests run by a competitor, so should be taken with a grain of Splenda. It’s true that the packaging of the contested coffee doesn’t include a detailed list of ingredients, only “100% Arabica Whole Bean Coffee” and the broad description of “Dark Roast, Smooth & Full Flavored.” That could work for the plaintiffs with their claim of improper/inadequate labeling.

Still, that’s money for research on top of the money for lawyers, all over a $7.99 bag of coffee. Call me crazy, but I have to ask: WHY NOT JUST BUY DIFFERENT COFFEE?? For something under $10, I would chalk it up as a learning experience and move on to a different brand or blend. Never in a million years would my reaction be, “I must sue!” Is this my failing — am I not blaming other people enough for my own choices? Sourcing tests and hiring lawyers is an awfully robust (coffee pun!) response. And to say TJ’s should cancel the product entirely? At the very least, just let them fix the label! What am I missing? Probably a full helping of caffeine.

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