Mac n Cheese in 3.5 minutes? (Depends on your definition of time)

[WillTravelForFood]

Yet another entry in seemingly frivolous food-related lawsuit news.

A Florida women is suing Kraft for advertising their microwave mac-n-cheese cups are "ready in just 3-1/2 mins" when the directions on the box suggest that the actual time is much longer than that (ie remove lid, fill cup with water, cook in microwave for 3.5 min, stir in cheese package, etc)

The plaintiff says that the 8-count box of microwave cups cost her $10.99, which is higher than other similar products. Like other customers, the plaintiff "seeks to stretch their money as far as possible when buying groceries" and chose Velvetta over similar products based on the prep time prominently featured on the label. She wouldn't have bought it otherwise.

The lawyer for the plaintiff stated that he understands that there may be a little fibbing here and there, but this is a question for corporations to be more straighforward and strive to be better. The primary request is for the Giant Advertising Label to say "cooks in 3.5 mins" rather than "ready in 3.5 mins", or something grammatically similarly accurate

Source: https://www.npr.org/2022/11/28/11394...suit-prep-time

[WillTravelForFood]

At least microwave popcorn directions are vague: heat popcorn until you no longer hear anything popping over X seconds. No promises for amount of cook time here

[GolfGeezer]

Maybe they should sell Mac-n-Karen Cheese?

[Jerod Broussard]

I prefer mine Al Dente, so I shorten my cook time and it is typically ready in three and a half minutes.

[rickgregory]

Yet another entry in seemingly frivolous food-related lawsuit news.

A Florida women is suing Kraft for advertising their microwave mac-n-cheese cups are "ready in just 3-1/2 mins" when the directions on the box suggest that the actual time is much longer than that (ie remove lid, fill cup with water, cook in microwave for 3.5 min, stir in cheese package, etc)

The plaintiff says that the 8-count box of microwave cups cost her $10.99, which is higher than other similar products. Like other customers, the plaintiff "seeks to stretch their money as far as possible when buying groceries" and chose Velvetta over similar products based on the prep time prominently featured on the label. She wouldn't have bought it otherwise.

The lawyer for the plaintiff stated that he understands that there may be a little fibbing here and there, but this is a question for corporations to be more straighforward and strive to be better. The primary request is for the Giant Advertising Label to say "cooks in 3.5 mins" rather than "ready in 3.5 mins", or something grammatically similarly accurate

Source: https://www.npr.org/2022/11/28/11394...suit-prep-time

People like this should have their cases tossed summarily and be fined court costs. The lawyers should be sanctioned.

[bbqLuv]

I think the woman's name is Karen.
The Origin Of The Karen Meme - YouTube

[WillTravelForFood]

The plaintiff isn't exactly wrong with what she's pointing out. But the cascading effect will be weird:

The NFL's "2 minute warning" is not accurate because in some games, the final two minutes of play could take as long as 20 minutes to complete.

[GolfGeezer]

I apologize if I offend anyone, but I find this beyond absurd. I can think of scores of food cooking instructions that, if followed, NEVER give the expected result. Why not sue because the food never looks exactly like the food on the package? I could see if there was serious harm to health or even damage (like a microwave fire), but "not ready exactly at 3.5 minutes"? Good grief.

[Reds Fan 5]

And the two minute warning often comes with fewer than two minutes remaining in the half or game. The NFL has a ton of coin. You may be on to an Amazing Ribs Pitmaster Club class action lawsuit!

[Allon]

This all started long ago... Since they invented laws and how to interpret them...

Rekindled over the MacDonald's hot coffee lawsuit years ago...

The age of litigation...

[Draznnl]

Where should we draw the line? That’s what a lawsuit like this is about. What misrepresentations by a seller are allowable hyperbole and which ar e wrongful deception? This suit might strike you as silly, but that’s because you’ve done something the law hasn’t - you’ve decided where the line goes.

[rickgregory]

Yes, because I have common sense. In no way is 6 minutes vs 3.5 a serious issue for anyone but the Karens of the world. I'd accept that 30 vs 3.5 would be egregious but I still don't see any actual damage. This kind of suit is a nuisance and wastes court time. Also, assuming the following quite is accurate:

Ramirez's legal team says that she is like many consumers who "seek to stretch their money as far as possible when buying groceries," and chose Velveeta over other similar products because of the prep time prominently promised on its label. She wouldn't have bought it "had she known the truth," they say.

Which is thing is important to her? Time or money? (bold is mine)

[rickgregory]

Oh and there's this:

As NPR has reported, Sheehan files at a rate of about three such lawsuits per week, and "his prolificacy has almost single-handedly caused a historic spike in the number of class action lawsuits against food and beverage companies — up more than 1000% since 2008."

So, while this single suit won't clog the courts, a volume of them will. And face it, the plaintiff who's 'watching her money' isn't footing the bill. This is a lawyer out for a settlement and $$.

[Murdy]

If it's truly frivolous, that's what motions to dismiss are for, and in most states and the federal system, one may move for sanctions, including attorney fees, for a suit filed in bad faith.

To @Drazznnl 's point, if 6 minutes is trivial and not worthy of a suit, but 30 is, where do you draw the line, and more importantly how?

While 3 filings per week may seem like a lot, how many does your average workers' comp or personal injury lawyer file in a similar span? Most attorneys specialize.

[Mosca]

Shrug. You can eat it in 3.5 minutes. Who’s to say that’s not done, after all. You want it more, well that’s just your preference.

[WayneT]

Of all the trivial BS I have stuck in my head from decades go, I recall our business law prof explaining what ‘puffing’ is vis a vis sales.

puffing
n. the exaggeration of the good points of a product, a business, real property, and the prospects for future rise in value, profits and growth. Since a certain amount of "puffing" can be expected of any salesman, it cannot be the basis of a lawsuit for fraud or breach of contract unless the exaggeration exceeds the reality. However, if the puffery includes outright lies or has no basis in fact ("Sears Roebuck is building next door to your store site") a legal action for rescission of the contract or for fraud against the seller is possible.

[WillTravelForFood]

This is the type of quality content we come to the Pit for.

[Jerod Broussard]

Cool information, likely explains why a puffer fish has never faced litigation.

[GolfGeezer]

Here you go…

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

This stuff was the best ever when it became available on one of my last deployments. Then again I'm a huge fan of the dry powder and butter Kraft Mac. This stuff can have a slightly off flavor, but down range it was heaven in my mouth. Also a few times I'd pour water in and let it sit on the dash of my work truck for a few hours at 115+ ambient!

[tamidw]

My gosh! Does she have the exact microwave specifications that allow it to be done in 3 1/2 minutes as well? If I went my exact times on everything, I would be eating either undercooked or overcooked food most of the time. There are so many variables that play into timing, it is hard to have exacts. Even baking isn't exact to the times put on boxes/recipes. 🤦♀️

[RichieB]

I respectfully have to reject this as food. Everyone's tastes and likes are different and I do respect that fact. For me, I can't fathom eating Mac and Cheese that is micowaved. I do enjoy Annie's Organic in a box. You boil the pasta, add some milk and butter and sprinkle the cheese on top. I take it 1 step further. I put that in a pyrex dish and add seasoned bread crumbs. Bake a few minutes and consume. And I have made my own.

Oh, and this person and her low life lawyers need some karma. I hope it gets thrown out.

[rickgregory]

Eh, for some people the quality of the food isn't as important as stretching every last dollar. Some folks are just poor and need to do this.

I'd get the complaint if it wasn't 3-4 minutes, but 30. Imagine being a single parent who needs to feed *something* to their kid and money is tight and you're headed out to a second job so you can pay rent... and instead of being able to feed the kid in 5 minutes, it's half an hour. But 3.5 vs 6? Give me a damn break.

[RichieB]

I appreciate that budget and time could be a real reason for these being on the menu. I understand and respect that. For me that's not the case. If I was in a similar situation I would likely consider it as an option. I do standby my position the lawyers need to be called out.

[tamidw]

And the fact it costs $10.99 for 8 of those containers (or however many) that are single serve vs. several boxes for same amount that can feed more. If it truly was because a person’s tight on money on a budget, they definitely wouldn’t be getting those.

[Mark V]

"and chose Velvetta over similar products based on the prep time prominently featured on the label. She wouldn't have bought it otherwise."

You would have the same problem with any other brand, more than likely. Most people understand that times given are a guideline, there are too many variables for it to be otherwise.