A Manhattan woman is suing a snack food company for $50 million, claiming its cheese puffs ruined her diet. Meredith Berkman says Pirate's Booty corn and rice puffs contained three times more fat than the amount advertised on bags.
The freelance journalist claims the incorrect labelling caused her to gain weight and suffer emotional distress. The New York Post says she's vowed to donate any proceeds from her case to a centre for eating disorders.
Robert's American Gourmet Food recalled its Pirate's Booty line in January after tests revealed the mistake.
Researchers from the Good Housekeeping Institute found the snacks contained 147 calories and 8.5 grams of fat, while the label said it contained 120 calories and 2.5 grams of fat.
Ms Berkman, 37, told the newspaper she was shocked when she noticed the label had changed. She has refused to say how much weight she gained. She said: "I was eating a lot of this stuff. A lot. I know there are many more serious issues in the world today than this, but it's a question of truth in labelling."
The snack company claimed the discrepancy was a result of new machinery which changed the nutritional information listed on packets.