Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether certain Wholesome Yum syrups may be misleadingly marketed as “Zero Sugar” or “Sugar Free” despite using allulose as a primary sweetening ingredient.
Products under investigation include:
- Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Maple Syrup Substitute
- Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey Substitute
- Wholesome Yum Sugar Free Simple Syrup
Wholesome Yum markets its maple syrup substitute as a “Zero Sugar Maple Syrup Substitute” and a “sugar free maple syrup alternative.” The company states that the product is sweetened with a blend of monk fruit and allulose, which it describes elsewhere as a “natural sugar.”
Wholesome Yum’s Sugar Free Simple Syrup is likewise marketed specifically as “Sugar Free” and uses a monk fruit and allulose blend to provide sweetness.
Why Consumers May Be Concerned
Consumers purchasing a product prominently advertised as “Zero Sugar” or “Sugar Free” may reasonably believe that the product does not contain sugar.
However, Wholesome Yum itself describes allulose as a natural rare sugar and explains that it tastes and behaves like sugar while providing fewer calories and little effect on blood sugar.
The issue is not whether allulose affects the body in exactly the same way as table sugar. Rather, Migliaccio & Rathod is investigating whether consumers were given an accurate understanding of what “Zero Sugar” and “Sugar Free” meant when the products relied heavily on an ingredient the company itself identifies as a type of sugar.
Consumers May Have Encountered:
- bottles prominently stating “Zero Sugar” or “Sugar Free”;
- purchasing the syrup specifically to avoid sugar;
- learning after purchase that allulose was used as a major sweetening ingredient;
- seeing 0 grams of sugar or added sugar on nutrition labeling;
- not understanding at the time of purchase that allulose is a monosaccharide or type of sugar; and
- paying a premium for a product marketed as a sugar-free alternative to conventional syrup.
The maple product is expressly marketed as a substitute for ordinary maple syrup that “tastes, bakes and pours just like maple syrup,” while relying on monk fruit and allulose for sweetness.
Potential Claims May Include:
- false or misleading advertising;
- deceptive trade practices;
- misleading “Zero Sugar” or “Sugar Free” nutrient-content claims;
- breach of express warranty;
- unjust enrichment; and
- price-premium damages.
Signs You May Be Affected:
- You purchased a Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar or Sugar Free syrup;
- you purchased the Maple Syrup Substitute, Honey Substitute, or Sugar Free Simple Syrup;
- the words “Zero Sugar” or “Sugar Free” influenced your purchase;
- you specifically bought the product because you wanted to avoid sugar;
- you did not understand that allulose is a type of sugar when purchasing the product; or
- you still have bottles, labels, receipts, photographs, or online order records.
If you purchased a Wholesome Yum syrup because it was represented as zero sugar or sugar free, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call.