Diageo defeats false labeling lawsuit over '100% agave' tequilas
DEO•A federal judge dismissed a proposed class action alleging Diageo falsely labeled Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas as “100% agave,” finding plaintiffs failed to show how they were harmed. Plaintiffs’ lawyer said they may ask the court to reconsider.
1. Judge dismisses case
U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall in Brooklyn dismissed the lawsuit, which claimed tequila buyers and restaurants paid higher prices for deceptively marketed products. The judge said evidence based on five samples did not support a reasonable inference of ubiquitous, systemic mislabeling.
2. Plaintiffs may seek review
Diageo said it was gratified the court rejected the adulteration allegations and stood by the quality and integrity of its tequilas. Plaintiffs’ lawyer Steve Berman said the ruling “gets the record wrong” and that they may ask the court to reconsider; the plaintiffs said independent laboratory testing found the tequilas were not made entirely from 100% agave. The judge had paused several related lawsuits while awaiting the decision.
