Pruvit sued for use of petrochemical derived flavoring
A June 5th class-action lawsuit filed in California alleges Pruvit uses a flavoring derived from petrochemicals.
This is a problem because Pruvit claims its products contain “no artificial flavors”.
Plaintiff Deana Lozano (right) cites herself as a “health care administrator and amateur athlete … (who) consumes only natural ingredients and avoids artificial flavors and ingredients”.
Lozano claims she bought a pouch of Keto//OS Nat from Pruvit’s website on April 4th, 2023.
The front label (or “principal display panel”) of the Products (both the box and the individually wrapped items contained therein) prominently state they contain “No Artificial Flavors”.
These natural flavoring claims are false. The Products are flavored using an artificial flavoring, DL malic acid, that is derived from petrochemicals.
Specific flavors of Keto//OS Nat Lozano cites as containing DL malic acid are Maui Punch, Heart Tart, Blueberry Acai, Hibiscus Lemonade and Berry Blue.
While there is an “extremely expensive” naturally occuring form of malic acid, Lozano claims results from a third-party laboratory confirmed Pruvit’s malic acid was synthetic.
This type of malic acid is manufactured in petrochemical plants from benzene or butane—components of gasoline and lighter fluid, respectively—through a series of chemical reactions, some of which involve highly toxic chemical precursors and byproducts.
Summing up her lawsuit, Lozano states Pruvit
uses the petrochemical-derived DL malic acid in its Products to create a sweet and tart flavor but pretends otherwise, conflating natural and artificial flavorings, misbranding the Products and deceiving consumers.
Lozano alleges Pruvit’s inaccurate labelling constitutes a violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
California’s Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law, Cal. Health & Saf. Code §109875, et seq., incorporates all food flavoring and additive regulations of the FDCA.
Pruvit and parent company LaCore Enterprises are based out of Texas.
Lozano “seeks to represent Class members” who have also purchased Pruvit products containing DL malic acid.
All Class members suffered similar economic injury due to Defendant’s misrepresentations; and Plaintiff seeks the same relief as the Class members.
Across eight counts, Lozano has sued Pruvit for
- violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act
- violating the California Business & Professions Code (unfair, fraudulent and unlawful conduct)
- violating the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act
- unjust enrichment and
- breach of express warranty
An injunction, damages and disgorgement or restitution are being sought.
Following a waiver of service on June 12th, Pruvit have until August 7th to file a response.
This isn’t the first time Pruvit has run into problems with its ingredients in California.
Back in 2020 Environmental Research Center, a non-profit corporation, sued Pruvit over use of lead in its products.
The case was resolved via a $400,000 consent judgment reached in December 2021.
A number of LaCore Enterprises companies’ products have been found to contain lead, prompting BehindMLM to ask whether LaCore Enterprises had a lead contamination problem earlier this year.
I’ve added Lozano v. Pruvit Ventures, Inc. to BehindMLM’s court calendar. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to track the case.
Update 2nd March 2024 – Deana Lozano has voluntarily dismissed her case against Pruvit.
I’m aware Lozano has filed similar lawsuits against other (non-MLM) companies.
I thought about not covering this case but decided whether similar lawsuits have been filed doesn’t affect the merits of this case and Pruvit’s alleged conduct.
Glad you covered this, I have been stating for decades that these non FDA approved “mlm” products can possibly do more harm than good to a percentage of people, especially those who have or may be undiagnosed with certain auto immune diseases.
We should applaud her as a for profit crusader, much like yourself Oz, uncovering the evil of the mlm underbelly.
People don’t realize that ingesting products that are not approved by the FDA can be harmful and should not be taken without medical approval.
Keep fighting the good fight Oz, you have saved me from losing money more than once and I enjoy the networking space.
I can only imagine the possible tens of thousands of readers who you have saved over the years from “putting their money in” these insane schemes. It’s kind of like those who practice preventative medicine vs those who only seek medical attention when a problem arrises.
The 3 letter agencies retrieve only a tiny percentage of funds that fall victim to schemes, so again, please keep fighting the good fight (Dr) Oz.
A really big fan…
How do I contact Diana Lozano?
That’s something you’ll have to suss out on your own.
I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH LEG AND STOMACH ISSUES SINCE USING PRUVIT KETONES CALLED NATS NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY.
I have bought lots of Pruvit ketones. How does 1 be a part of the lawsuit? Thanks
There isn’t a certified class yet.
Interested in updates of the good and the bad. I used to be a promoter and a customer but after using the product for a couple years my pain got worse not better. And my energy levels did not change. GI issues never got better.
The only product I like from them (Pruvit) is the Mitoplex.
Interested if this becomes a Class Action lawsuit for sure but most importantly the followup of health for everyone. Prayers for only the best health for everyone.
I also took Pruvit Ketones for a full year. No “Better digestion” or “Better sleep”…
Thank you for revealing this article. Having been a promoter up until last month for 5 years- this was part of my case to leave.
I have been for six months going thru a chemical detox. I have been consuming the product up until 24 days ago.
My clients list is 1000s and i demanded feedback. I was terminated for something else as was my team. I’ll whistle blow all day- unreal.
I wa super successful here and literally walked on the thought of making dirty money.
I can not believe this all however knowledge is power so thank you for that power!
I was a customer! Would love to get updates! Grave concerns about my use of ketones!
Scary! Please keep me updated.
I have been buying Nats for over 2 years I stopped auto ship a couple months ago. Please keep me updated.
I used them for 2 years. I have since developed a liver tumor.
Erythritol is a listed ingredient also know to cause liver cancer. Very interested in class action law suit.
Thank you.
I would like to be updated if there class acton.
Oh my gosh would like to be updated also because i two have been using this product.scary!
I have used pruvit ketones for over two years spent over $3000 and for the last year I have been falling ill quite often from nausea and digestive problems.
I have changed many things in my diet throughout the year trying to eliminate things that could be the source just recently I quit the key tones, and my digestive problems have resolved, and no more nausea.
I have a cabinet full of key tones that I would not give to anyone for any amount of money knowing how bad it made me feel sadly, I had no idea it was from those key tones.
I am a nurse and have missed a great deal of work, because I’m feeling so ill from drinking these key tones .
I would like to also know how to get information should this become a class action suit.
I have done a chemical detox, lymphatic detox. I have had severe stomach issues and intestinal issues. Doctor has now requested upper and lower GI.
I was a promoter and consumed thousands of dollars worth.
I had been using these on/off and discusted about the chemical use. I didnt care for the taste but thought this was a helpful thing so keep drinking.
Now i think this may have been the cause of my tummy pain here and there. Please keep me posted! Thank you!
I DEFINITELY way Info if this becomes a class action lawsuit.
Was a promoter for almost 2 years, drank ketones for 2 years, religiously. Beginning in April 2023, I found sores on my head, during a doctor appointment…
When i questioned them about the lead content, I got the run around… I detoxed from the ketones which took a toll on my body.
I now understand why they don’t want the FDA involved in their business.
I started puking shortly after drinking these products including waking up choking because I had vomited. What should I do now.
See a doctor.
I had adverse effects from drinking these products from pruvit. Within 30 minutes of consumption, I became extremely fatigued. I am well hydrated and take a multi mineral each day.
I wrote pruvit and my promoter. Fit no where except”you must have an underlying condition.
Really? I’m fine till I take this product. Not taking anymore!!
Please keep me informed about lawsuit.
Shame on them. RIP.
Was goated into taking this product and becoming a promoter after being told all natural etc.
Did some research and contacted Pruvit and was told all natural ingredients.
Erythritol was derived from high quality corn which was not organic.
Stopped using the products completely after researching the amount of fake sugar in this product.
The ‘leads or champ 7s” are sketchy and try to manipulate IMO.
Be very wary of this product. Small amounts of lead per FDA are supposedly ok but when you’re drinking these products 2,3,4 x a day everyday – greater chance of adverse health in my opinion. And there is more than a safe amount of harmful ingedients in these products.
Trying to get my metabolism back on track after using these products.
Also the claims of some of these people with weightloss – don’t buy into it.
If you stopped eating breakfast and ate 2x a day healthy – you’d lose weight.
The claim is youre not supposed to change anything- yet the first thing they ask you to do is change everything.
Sketchy Co in my opinion.
I hope there is a class action law suit and the founder/ceo is accountable. The ceo deserves all the payback from his deception.
He is the same creep who assaulted his deceased moms husband who was in his 80’s. This is a hard fact. It happened in Daviess County, KY in May of 2016.
He can deny all day long but he was charged accordingly and he has another side that’s not so nice. Good luck to all.
I have been drinking ketones since 2019. Just recently I noticed a change it was subtly but I was no longer energized I started craving sugar all the time and my sleep was not as great.
In the beginning I truly enjoyed the ketones. Last week I cancelled my smart ship due to just not feeling right and stopped drinking them. I thought I was crazy but have now heard many were feeling the same way.
Im so disappointed and I am not sure what changed or if my body just had enough and was telling me to stop. My joints started hurting in my fingers and my legs were achy.
I hope it works out how it should good luck.
I’d be part of the class action… I think people should have to disclose shhhh like that so we can choose for ourselves.
I was drinking pruvit every day but wasn’t seeing a change like I did when I started, so I stopped drinking it. Canceled my smartship.
Talked to my friend about it and she has also stopped drinking keto ketones.
That new company Frequense makes their products in the same facilities. Someone sent that to me and I recognized that Texas address.
I am just finding out about this and very concerned since I have been drinking ketones for over 5 years…. sometimes 2-4 per day!!
I have had my husband and other family members drinking them as well, thinking I was fueling my body with something healthy.
This is beyond concerning as I literally just received my Smartship and an additional 4 boxes of black label tangerine dragon. Any health information would be greatly appreciated.