Blue Buffalo alleges that Purina has "blanketed the media with blatantly false ads about Blue Buffalo's ingredients and malicious attacks on Blue Buffalo's integrity". Purina recently filed a lawsuit against Blue Buffalo over Blue Buffalo’s pet food ingredient claims.
The case was filed in US District Court for the Easter District of Missouri in St. Louis. Blue Buffalo is seeking injunctive relief, corrective advertising and damages.
"In response to Nestle Purina's malicious attacks against us, we have initiated a lawsuit against them demanding that Nestle Purina and the individuals working in concert with them be held accountable for their false accusations about Blue Buffalo, and that their carefully orchestrated smear campaign against the BLUE brand cease," said Bill Bishop, Blue Buffalo founder.
In its lawsuit, Purina alleges Blue Buffalo engaged in false advertising, disparagement and unjust enrichment. Purina claims that testing by an independent laboratory found several of Blue Buffalo's "Life Protection" brand of pet foods contained poultry by-product meals contrary to Blue Buffalo's advertising claims. Blue Buffalo said the company's pet products contain high-quality natural ingredients such as deboned chicken, lamb or fish as the first ingredient, whole grains, garden vegetables, and antioxidant-rich fruits.
The case isBlue Buffalo Company, Ltd. v. Nestle Purina Pet Care Company, and John Does 1 – 10.