Target Veggie Straws: "No Preservatives" Claim Under Fire

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Target's Good & Gather veggie straws, advertised as free from artificial preservatives, contain calcium chloride, a synthetic chemical used as a preservative.

Consumers Affected: U.S. consumers who purchased Target's Good & Gather veggie straws within the last five years.

Court: Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Chancery Division

Target is facing a new class action lawsuit over its popular Good & Gather veggie straws, which are advertised as containing “no artificial flavors, synthetic colors or preservatives.” According to the complaint, the product actually includes calcium chloride—a synthetic chemical widely used as a preservative in food manufacturing.

The lawsuit accuses the retail giant of deceptive labeling and false advertising, alleging Target misled health-conscious shoppers by marketing the veggie straws as preservative-free while knowingly using a synthetic ingredient that extends shelf life.

Target's Good & Gather Veggie Straws: Preservative-Free?

Chicago resident John Daly purchased the veggie straws in January from a Target store in Chicago, relying on the front-label claim that the snack contained no synthetic additives, the lawsuit states. Like many shoppers, Daly says he doesn’t have a background in food chemistry and trusted the label to reflect what was inside.

The lawsuit argues that consumers have a right to accurate information and that Daly and others would not have purchased the veggie straws—or would have chosen a different product—if they knew calcium chloride was included. 

By masking the use of a synthetic preservative, the lawsuit claims Target robbed consumers of the ability to make informed choices and charged a “price premium” for what was marketed as a cleaner, higher-quality product.

Calcium Chloride Allegedly Contradicts "No Preservatives" Label

While calcium chloride might not be a household name, it’s a common chemical in the food industry—used to keep produce firm, improve texture, and most importantly, prevent spoilage. The FDA defines a “chemical preservative” as any substance added to food to slow or prevent deterioration, with certain exceptions like salt, sugar, or vinegar. Calcium chloride doesn’t fall under those exceptions and is widely recognized as a synthetic additive.

According to the complaint, the calcium chloride used in Target’s veggie straws is produced through industrial chemical processes. Whether extracted from brine or created through reactions involving hydrochloric acid or soda ash, the end result is a lab-made substance that qualifies as a preservative under federal guidelines.

The lawsuit suggests that Target either knew or should have known that the chemical qualified as a synthetic preservative, and that its own food scientists were fully aware of the implications. The plaintiff claims the retailer banked on the assumption that the average consumer wouldn’t notice.

Retailers Face Growing Legal Pushback on "Clean Label" Marketing

This isn’t the first time Target’s Good & Gather line has come under legal fire. A similar case filed last year alleged that the brand’s pasta sauces falsely promised a lack of artificial preservatives while listing citric acid—another synthetic substance—among the ingredients.

Other major brands have faced similar challenges. Chobani is currently being sued over its “Only Natural Ingredients” claim on yogurt products, which allegedly contain synthetic chemicals. Additional suits have accused brands of hiding dangerous substances like heavy metals or even metal fragments in seemingly wholesome food.

In his lawsuit against Target, Daly wants to represent anyone in the US who purchased the veggie straws in the last five years. He is suing for violations of Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Businesses Practices Act, common law fraud, and unjust enrichment, and seeks damages, injunctive relief, fees, costs, and interest.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Daly v. Target Corporation
• Case Number:1:25-cv-05453 
• Court: In the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Chancery Division 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Todd M. Friedman and Steven G. Perry (Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C.)

Do you buy Target's Good & Gather veggie straws? Share your thoughts on their 'no preservatives' claim below.