One of the biggest sugar producers in the United States is being sued in a federal class action lawsuit for allegedly deceiving consumers into thinking that its Florida agricultural methods contribute to the fight against climate change.

The complaint, which was brought on behalf of Macy Merrell, claimed that Florida Crystals, a West Palm Beach-based company, engages in “greenwashing” by marketing their sugar as eco-friendly while causing soil erosion and air pollution.

Florida Crystals insists that its sugar comes from “Farming to Help Save the Planet.” Its social media ads and organic sugar packaging are emblazoned with pledges to “fight climate change & build healthy soil.”

Merrell, who is represented by the Malibu-based Clarkson Law Firm, claimed that Florida Crystals’ continued use of preharvest sugarcane burning runs counter to these promises by releasing fine particulate matter, greenhouse gases, and other pollutants into the atmosphere.

The lawsuit said that the drifting plumes of preharvest burns are so ingrained in the Glades that locals have a nickname for the ash that falls on them, their homes, and their children: “Black snow.”

Research referenced in the complaint indicates that preharvest burning produces higher emissions compared to green harvesting techniques, which involve cutting sugarcane without incinerating the outer leaves. Merrell contends that Florida Crystals, while promoting its environmental commitment, deliberately misleads consumers who are inclined to pay extra for sustainable products by continuing to burn sugarcane.

The Federal Trade Commission cautions against ambiguous or unqualified sustainability claims. The lawsuit against Florida Crystals and its parent company, the Fanjul Corp., asserts that their packaging and marketing materials breach these guidelines by not fully disclosing the environmental consequences of their practices.

In addition to concerns about emissions, the plaintiffs claim that Florida Crystals’ agricultural methods harm soil quality, contradicting the company’s assertion of “building healthy soil.” Scientific research cited in the lawsuit shows that fields, where sugarcane is burned, emit significantly more soil-bound carbon dioxide than those utilizing green harvesting methods.

The lawsuit also alleges that Florida Crystals benefits from Florida’s lenient regulations regarding preharvest burning. While other leading sugar-producing nations such as Brazil, India, and Thailand have imposed restrictions or outright bans on this practice, Florida permits it to continue with minimal oversight. The complaint highlights the company’s lobbying activities as a strategy to preserve the current situation, accusing Florida Crystals of placing profit above environmental stewardship.

The lawsuit states that consumers depend on front-label claims when making purchasing choices, and that Florida Crystals’ messaging misleads them into thinking they are opting for an environmentally responsible product. Merrell seeks financial compensation for herself and other similarly affected consumers who purchased the product, as well as an injunction to prevent Florida Crystals from marketing its products as environmentally friendly.