Mauricio Chavez v. Nestle USA, Inc.
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting:
I respectfully dissent and would affirm dismissal of all claims.
Despite three iterations of the complaint, appellants have not pleaded any false statement. They plead that the advertisements suggesting that the additives in Juicy Juice are good for children are “likely to deceive” the public. Under Twombly and Iqbal, particularly since Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b) applies, more than that conclusory claim is necessary.
Under National Council Against Health Fraud, Inc. v. King Bio Pharmeceuticals, Inc., “[pjrivate plaintiffs are not authorized to demand substantiation for advertising claims.”
We held in Williams v. Gerber Products Co. that plaintiffs must plead facts to show that a “reasonable consumer” is “likely to be deceived” by the advertising alleged to be violative of the statutes at issue.
Williams
. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678-79, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009); see also Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555-57, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007).
. Nat'l Council Against Health Fraud, Inc. v. King Bio Pharm., Inc., 107 Cal.App.4th 1336, 1345, 133 Cal.Rptr.2d 207 (2003).
. Emphasis added.
. Williams v. Gerber Prod's Co., 552 F.3d 934, 939 (9th Cir. 2008).
. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678-79, 129 S.Ct. 1937; see also Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555-57, 127 S.Ct. 1955.
. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679, 129 S.Ct. 1937; see also Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555-57, 127 S.Ct. 1955.
. Williams, 552 F.3d 934.
.Id. at 939.
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
Appellants challenge the district court’s dismissal of their claims under California’s Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”) and False Advertising Law (“FAL”). We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.
The district court correctly dismissed Appellants’ claims regarding Juicy Juice Immunity. Appellants must show that members of the public are likely to be deceived by the labels and advertising at issue, and there is simply nothing false, deceptive, or misleading about the challenged Juicy Juice Immunity materials. See Williams v. Gerber Prods. Co., 552 F.3d 984, 938-39 (9th Cir. 2008).
On the other hand, Appellants’ allegations regarding Juicy Juice Brain Development will support viable FAL and UCL fraudulent business practices claims.
The primary jurisdiction doctrine did not provide an alternative basis for dismissing the Juicy Juice Brain Development claims.
The parties shall bear their own costs.
AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND REMANDED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
. While Appellants' complaint also cited "unfair” and "unlawful” theories of UCL liability, they have waived any challenge to the district court's dismissal of those claims. See Smith v. Marsh, 194 F.3d 1045, 1052 (9th Cir. 1999); Dodd v. Hood River Cnty., 59 F.3d 852, 863 (9 th Cir. 1995); City of Emeryville v. Robinson, 621 F.3d 1251, 1262 n. 10 (9th Cir. 2010).
. A district court’s invocation of the primary jurisdiction doctrine is reviewed de novo. United States v. Gen. Dynamics Corp., 828 F.2d 1356, 1364 n. 15 (9th Cir. 1987).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Mauricio CHAVEZ, Individually and on Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated; Zanetta Taddesse-Bonsignore, Individually and on Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated; Vincent Bonsignore, Individually and on Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. NESTLE USA, INC., a Delaware Corporation, Defendant-Appellee
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Unpublished