Debbie Schlussel: The Ludicrous Litigeratti: Class Action Over "Low Carb" Candy


By Debbie Schlussel

Last week, pages of USA Today contained the usual ads over the settlement of class action lawsuits.

The latest was particularly important: a class action lawsuit against the Russell Stover candy company for the "crime" of candy labeled as "low carb" that contained more carbohydrates than advertised.

Doesn't this sound like a hilarious "Seinfeld" episode about "low-fat" frozen yogurt? Yes, it does. And that's where absurd class action lawsuits like this one belong--in the sitcoms, not our real-life court system.

Reading the settlement ad is like reading a comic book: "A refund of thirty cents ($.30) for each purchase of a "low carb" candy, up to a maximum of 5 purchases."

Wonderful. Marvelous. Lucky you could get up to a buck and a half, while lawyers James H. McFerrin and James Stirling of the Birmingham, Alabama law firm of McFerrin, Stirling & Hood collects gazillions in legal fees for their "heroic" litigation on behalf of low-carb warriors everywhere.

I can hardly wait for the movie, starring Camryn Manheim.


Posted by Debbie on October 17, 2005 04:40 PM to Debbie Schlussel