Subway’s Advertising Allegedly Misrepresents Sandwich Content
Subway’s Advertising Allegedly Misrepresents Sandwich Content
Subway has been hit with a class-action lawsuit alleging that its advertisements “materially overstate” the amount of meat and cheese in its sandwiches. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Queens resident Anna Tollison, seeks certification from the US district court for the eastern district of New York. Tollison claims that a steak and cheese sandwich she purchased from a Subway location in New York in August contained significantly less meat than depicted in the chain’s advertisements. Specifically, she alleges that the ads showed a sandwich containing at least 200% more meat than consumers actually receive. The lawsuit maintains that the photographs of sandwiches used in Subway’s marketing falsely represent the amount of meat in the steak and cheese sandwich. Subway, with its extensive presence of 37,000 locations in the US, has allegedly employed similar tactics for “many other sandwiches,” including the cheesy garlic steak.
Unfair and Financially Damaging Advertising
The lawsuit asserts that Subway’s advertisements are “unfair and financially damaging to consumers” as they receive a product of lesser value than what is represented. This, the lawsuit argues, is particularly concerning in the face of inflation and high food prices, which disproportionately affect lower-income Subway customers.
Past Lawsuits and Legal Precedents
It is worth noting that similar lawsuits brought by the same law firm against McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell were dismissed last year. However, a lawsuit against Burger King on similar grounds is currently pending in federal court in Miami. Subway has also faced previous class-action litigation over the length of its foot-long sandwiches. In 2017, a judge dismissed the case, stating it sought only trivial benefits and undeserved fees for the attorneys involved. However, in 2016, a Wisconsin federal judge approved a settlement requiring Subway to implement quality control measures to ensure the accuracy of its sandwich lengths.
Controversy Surrounding Subway’s Bread
In an unrelated ruling, a court in the Republic of Ireland several years ago determined that the bread served at Subway did not meet the legal definition of bread due to its high sugar content. This decision highlights the ongoing scrutiny faced by Subway regarding the quality and accuracy of its products.