Watkins sues McCormick over selling pepper tins with less content

Minnesota-based Watkins has sued spice manufacturer McCormick alleging that the the company has misled its customers by decreasing the amount of black pepper sold in containers, without adjusting the size or price of the product.

Watkins claimed in its lawsuit that McCormick’s action violated both federal and state laws regarding deceptive trade practices, misleading both consumers and food retailers.

According to the company, since early 2015, McCormick had knowingly and intentionally began selling its traditional tins with 25% less ground black pepper.

In the lawsuit Watkins stated: "McCormick intentionally maintained the price of its standard tins, notwithstanding the significant reduction in the amount of ground black pepper contained in the traditional tin, which had the effect of further adding to the perception that nothing had changed."

It is said that McCormick has set a standard for pepper packaging, as rival companies also sell their products in similar tins.

Watkins CEO Mark Jacobs said: "Integrity in the marketplace is fundamental. For nearly 150 years Watkins has built its reputation with consumers as a premium high-quality products company with impeccable honesty and business ethics.

"As America’s first consumer products company to offer a money-back satisfaction guarantee in 1868, we stand behind the quality and value of our products, and believe the consumer always deserves full transparency to determine value."

Watkins has alleged that the same McCormick tins that used to contain 8oz, 4oz, and 2oz of pepper currently only contain 6oz, 3oz, and 1.5oz.

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Image: The lawsuit alleges that McCormick intentionally decreased the pepper content in tins from early 2015. Photo: courtesy of Watkins Incorporated.