Lawsuit alleges David Protein understates calories and fat content of its bars
A recent class-action lawsuit has been filed against David Protein, alleging that the company misrepresented the calorie and fat contents in its popular protein bars. This poses a significant challenge for a company that is known for catering to health-conscious customers.
The complaint, filed on Jan. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, was brought forth by three individuals who had purchased David bars. They claim that the bars actually contain significantly more calories and fat than what is stated on the labels. Independent testing using the Atwater factors method revealed that the calorie content exceeded the labeled amount by as much as 83%, according to the lawsuit.
Fat Content
In addition to the calorie discrepancy, the plaintiffs also allege that David Protein underestimated the fat content of its bars. Testing showed that the actual fat content exceeded the labeled amount by as much as 400%.
According to David Protein’s website and product labels, the bars are supposed to contain 150 calories, 28 grams of protein, and 0 grams of sugar.
The lawsuit references Food and Drug Administration guidelines, which state that a product is considered misbranded if the nutrient content exceeds 20% of the value declared on the label.
“No one is getting Regina Georged”
The main defendant in the lawsuit is Linus Technologies, a nutrition-focused company founded by entrepreneur Peter Rahal in 2023. Linus Technologies operates under the brand name David Protein. Neither Linus Technologies nor David Protein has responded to requests for comment. However, the company did post a statement on Instagram saying, “No one is getting Regina Georged,” referencing a scene from the movie “Mean Girls.”
In response to the lawsuit, Rahal told Vanity Fair that the company stands by the accuracy of its product labeling and intends to vigorously defend against the claim. The David bar was introduced to the market in 2024, with the name paying homage to Michelangelo’s masterpiece.
These protein bars come in various flavors such as chocolate chip cookie and fudge brownie, retailing for $39 for a pack of 12, or $3.25 per bar.
