Kellogg falsely advertises some Special K cereals as containing ‘zero added sugar,' a new class action claims

On Sept. 4, 2026, California resident Paulette Carr filed a class action lawsuit against WK Kellogg Co., alleging its “zero added sugar” labels misled shoppers into overpaying for two Special K cereals containing allulose. The lawsuit names Special K Plus High Protein Zero Added Sugar Cereal and Special K Zero Breakfast Cereal.

Carr's reported experience

Carr says she bought Special K Plus High Protein Zero Added Sugar Cereal in the strawberry crème flavor multiple times, paying about $7.75 per purchase.

The proposed class action alleges the cereals’ “zero added sugar” claims are misleading because the products contain allulose syrup, which it characterizes as a sugar under federal labeling rules. The lawsuit relies on the rules’ inclusion of monosaccharides, or simple sugars, in the definition of total sugars.

The products contain about four grams of allulose per serving, the suit alleges. The complaint contends the labels encouraged shoppers trying to avoid added sugar to pay more for cereals that did not meet that expectation.

Carr claims she relied on the front-of-box claims when making her purchase and would not have bought it or would have paid less had she known about its sugar content.

The dispute over “zero added sugar”

The complaint claims the products’ nutrition panels list zero grams of total and added sugars, saying those figures reinforce the message on the front of the box. Shoppers should not need to research the chemistry of listed ingredients to determine whether a label tells the truth, the lawsuit alleges.

Additionally, a marketing image reproduced in the complaint advertises four grams of net carbs per serving of the strawberry crème cereal. The calculation starts with 13 grams of total carbohydrates then subtracts five grams of fiber and four grams of allulose. The proposed class action contends that excluding allulose makes the cereal appear healthier than it is.

The legal claims

The complaint brings four claims:

  • California Consumers Legal Remedies Act: Prohibits misleading statements about a product’s ingredients, qualities or benefits
  • California Unfair Competition Law: Bars unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business practices
  • California False Advertising Law: Bars false or misleading advertising, including the package claims at issue here
  • Unjust enrichment: Seeks money the company allegedly gained from purchases consumers would have avoided or made only at a lower price

The three statutory claims cover the proposed California subclass. Carr brings the unjust enrichment for the nationwide class or, alternatively, the California subclass. She reserved a later request for damages under the Consumers Legal Remedies Act if the company fails to address her notice within 30 days.

What the Special K class action lawsuit means for shoppers

The proposed nationwide class and California subclass cover people who bought either named cereal for personal use during the period the law allows. The complaint does not specify a fixed starting date or extend the case to every Special K product.

Carr seeks money back for purchasers and a court order requiring WK Kellogg to stop the challenged labeling and correct the message it delivers to consumers. As of this writing, there is no claims process or money available to shoppers.