Golda ice cream chain faces huge class action suit over ‘sugar-free’ flavors

The Central District Court in Lod has approved a class action lawsuit against Golda, a major Israeli ice cream chain, for allegedly misleading customers about its 'sugar-free' flavors. The suit claims that coffee and hazelnut flavors labeled as sugar-free actually contained 6.6 grams of sugar per 100 grams, 13 times the allowed limit. Judge Iris Rabinovitch-Brun rejected Golda's defense that 'no sugar' meant 'no added sugar'. The lawsuit seeks compensation of about NIS 350 million.

The Central District Court in Lod has accepted a class action lawsuit against Golda, a major Israeli ice cream chain, for allegedly misleading customers about its 'sugar-free' flavors. The suit claims that for years, Golda sold coffee and hazelnut flavors labeled as sugar-free, but they actually contained 6.6 grams of sugar per 100 grams, 13 times the allowed limit of 0.5 grams. Judge Iris Rabinovitch-Brun rejected Golda's defense that 'no sugar' meant 'no added sugar', questioning why the stores couldn't have used signage reading 'No added sugar'. The lawsuit seeks hundreds of millions in compensation, with lawyers estimating damages at NIS 350 million ($117 million). The class action includes anyone who purchased these products at Golda or its sister company Anita, or online. Golda has temporarily removed the flavors. The court also ordered Golda to pay NIS 40,000 plus VAT for legal fees. Attorney Ori Eldar said the decision sends a clear message to the food industry about honoring product labels.