Federal Judge Dismisses Kroger Egg Lawsuit

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against Kroger that claimed the term 'farm fresh' misled consumers into believing eggs came from uncaged hens with outdoor access. Consumer Adam Sorkin argued he would not have paid a premium for the eggs if he had known they were sourced from caged hens in industrial settings. U.S. District Judge Charles Kocoras ruled that 'farm fresh' refers solely to the origin of the eggs and does not imply the hens were free-roaming or cage-free. He stated that no reasonable consumer would interpret 'farm fresh' as suggesting open green spaces for the hens. Kroger has faced consumer pressure to clarify its labeling practices, with a survey indicating many customers mistakenly assume 'farm fresh' means cage-free. The ruling highlights the complexity of food labeling and consumer expectations in the marketplace.