A Los Angeles County resident is suing Red Lobster for using "deceptive marketing" to sell its lobster and shrimp products.
Dezzi Rae Marshall filed a lawsuit June 11 in the Central District Court of California, citing deceptive marketing.
According to the claim, Red Lobster used deceptive marketing to sell its Maine lobster and shrimp products because these items are described as "sustainable" when "they may be sourced from suppliers that use environmentally harmful and inhumane practices."
In response to the claim, a Red Lobster spokesperson said, "We cannot comment on pending litigation or the specifics of the claims. What we can say is that we stand behind our Seafood with Standards commitments as well as our support for scientific research and continuous improvement efforts to ensure there’s seafood to enjoy, now and for generations."
The suit states that, "reasonable consumers who see Red Lobster’s Sustainability Representations—i.e., Red Lobster’s 'promise' to provide 'sustainable' seafood 'sourced to the highest standards' —would expect that the products are sourced sustainably in accordance with the highest environmental and animal welfare standards."
But the suit says that didn't happen and that Red Lobster uses destructive means to harvest their seafood.
"Contrary to Red Lobster’s claims, its Maine lobster menu items are sourced from suppliers that use environmentally destructive practices that threaten endangered populations of North American right whales," the claim states.
Additionally, the suit states that Red Lobster's sustainability claims allow the chain to sell more seafood at higher prices and the plaintiffs, in the class action suit, say they are entitled to monetary compensation, an article on the suit by Food & Wine states.