Amended Lawsuit Accuses Skinnygirl Of False Labeling

Beam Inc.’s Skinnygirl Margarita has been hit with an amended version of a $10 million lawsuit filed earlier this year, the New York Post reports. Consumers Christopher Rapcinsky and Erin Baker are accusing the RTD cocktail brand, which initially claimed to contain 100% blue agave Tequila, of using mixto Tequila (which must only be 51% agave by law) instead. Since purchasing the brand from reality star Bethenny Frankel in March, Beam has changed its labeling to say Skinnygirl Margarita is “made with” blue agave Tequila, rather than the original “100% blue agave.”

The original lawsuit alleged that Skinnygirl Margarita falsely claimed to be “all natural,” despite studies indicating it contained a non-natural preservative. (While insisting the original label was in compliance with regulations, Beam later changed the language to “natural flavoring”.) Grocery chain Whole Foods removed the product from shelves last September.

Beam says both the original and new lawsuits are “frivolous” and that it will vigorously defend its position. Despite the controversy, Skinnygirl’s momentum hasn’t slowed. In the year-to-date through October 2, the brand sold 84,000 cases on triple-digit growth in SymphonyIRI channels at an average of $13.27 a bottle, leading to sales of $13.4 million.

Tagged : Beam Inc, Skinnygirl

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