The makers of King’s Hawaiian rolls are facing a class action lawsuit that was filed Friday due to allegedly misleading consumers on where the product is produced, according to Top Class Actions.
While purchasing a pack of King’s Hawaiian rolls at a local store, Robert Galinsky, the plaintiff in the case, noticed the packaging states that the rolls are made in Torrance, California, according to Top Class Actions. Galinsky reportedly claims this is conflicting information as “Hilo, Hawaii” is written on the bag, allegedly implying they are made in the city of Hilo.
King’s Hawaiian sued for not actually making its sweet rolls in Hawaii https://t.co/G4CqYlBNjN #HNN
— Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) December 29, 2020
In the suit, Galinsky reportedly argues that sweet Hawaiian rolls were essentially created by King’s Hawaiian, bringing up past legal action King’s Hawaiian has taken against competitors for using their trademarked packaging and colors, including the term “Hawaiian rolls.”
King’s Hawaiian settled a suit against Aldi for selling rolls that “intentionally and willfully employ product packaging that is confusingly similar to the distinctive packaging trade dress that King’s Hawaiian uses,” according to the 2015 complaint.
Galinsky argues that many consumers prioritize authenticity over quality and should know which products are genuine, according to Top Class Actions. (RELATED: Hawaii Seeking Remote Workers, Offering Free Flights)
“Reasonable consumers understand that the term ‘Hawaiian Rolls’ by itself, does not denote a roll made in Hawaii any more than a ‘Moon Pie’ can claim to have been baked on the moon,” Galinsky continued.
Galinsky claims that by writing “Hilo, Hawaii” on the front of the packaging, consumers are led to believe the rolls are made on the island, according to Top Class Actions.
The plaintiff filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Courts New York Southern District, according to Uni Court. The suit accuses the makers of King’s Hawaiian of breaching New York’s General Business Law, as well as misrepresentation, fraud, and unjust enrichment.