Beer giant AB InBev settles US lawsuit over 'misleading' drink labels

Anheuser Busch, the US arm of Belgian-Brazilian brewing company AB InBev, has reached a settlement in the US with consumers who claimed the labelling and description of several drinks was misleading. The names referred to cocktails, which the plaintiffs claimed did not reflect reality. A verdict on the matter was reached by a federal court in the state of Missouri.

The petitioners denounced the fact that a drink with the reference "Sparkling Margarita" does not contain tequila, another drink with a label referincing "Mojito" does not contain rum. Drinks labelled "Sangria" and "Rosé" do not contain wine. According to the complainants, the drinks are nothing more than flavoured beer.

"Sparkling Margarita" does not contain tequila, another drink with a label referincing "Mojito" does not contain rum.

A Missouri federal court found that the complainants presented sufficient arguments that a consumer might be misled, and might associate the products with alcoholic beverages they do not contain.

Both parties informed the court on Tuesday that they had agreed on the principle of a class action settlement.

(BRV)

Illustration picture shows the logo of Anheuser-Bush InBev at the company headquarters in Leuven, Belgium - © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS