Texas Pete lawsuit: Man files false advertising suit over hot sauce’s North Carolina origin
A California man has filed a class-action lawsuit against Texas Pete hot sauce after learning it was made in North Carolina.
Philip White bought a bottle of the popular sauce in 2021 and believed it was made in Texas, USA Today reports. Instead, he learned it was made in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, something White’s lawsuit claims allows Texas Pete parent company T.W. Garner Food Co. to “capitalize on consumers’ desire to partake in the culture and authentic cuisine of one of the most prideful states in America.”
“Although defendant brands the products “Texas Pete,” there is surprisingly nothing Texas about them; unknown to consumers, the products are standard Louisiana-style hot sauces, made with ingredients sources outside the state of Texas at a factory in North Carolina.”
The suit alleging violations of unfair competition and false advertising laws was filed by The Clarkson Law Firm on behalf of White in Los Angeles federal court. Plaintiffs are asking the court to force T.W. Garner Food Co. to pay damages and change its name and branding.
T.W. Garner Food Co.’s website said the company’s founder, Sam Garner, named the sauce for Texas because of its “reputation for spicy cuisine” and added Pete, his son’s nickname.