The makers of Texas Pete hot sauce can breathe a sigh of relief as a lawsuit accusing them of misleading customers has been dismissed. North Carolina-based TW Garner Food Co., the company behind the popular hot sauce, announced in a news release that the plaintiff had filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on September 28, and the court granted the motion on Thursday.
The plaintiff, Phillip White from California, filed the lawsuit in September 2022 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. White claimed that he was confused by the Texas Pete brand, believing that the products were made in Texas. According to White, he would have paid less for a hot sauce made in North Carolina than one he believed was made in Texas.
However, TW Garner Food Co. countered these claims by stating that their product labels and trademark are truthful and not misleading in any respect. Ann Garner Riddle, a member of the Garner family and the company’s current President and CEO, expressed her delight with the dismissal of the lawsuit, stating that they had remained steadfast in their position since the lawsuit was filed.
The back label of TW Garner Food Co.’s Texas Pete hot sauce products clearly identifies North Carolina as the geographic source of the products, contrary to White’s alleged confusion. This labeling, along with other evidence presented, likely contributed to the court’s decision to dismiss the case.
As the legal battle comes to an end, TW Garner Food Co. can continue providing their customers with the beloved Texas Pete hot sauce without any legal challenges. Fans of the hot sauce can rest assured that the product labels accurately represent the origin of the sauce.
For those interested in staying up-to-date with the latest news and weather, the company encourages downloading the WXII app for a convenient and accessible way to access news and weather updates. With the lawsuit behind them, TW Garner Food Co. can now focus on satisfying their customers’ cravings for their favorite Texas Pete hot sauce.