A group that sued the company behind David protein bars in January, alleging that the products\u2019 labels misrepresented calorie and fat content, has dropped the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lawsuit alleged that independent lab tests had revealed the bars \u2014 a viral favorite among some wellness influencers \u2014 to have 400% more fat and 80% more calories than the products advertised. The claims prompted comparisons on social media to the movie \u201cMean Girls,\u201d in which the character Regina George finds out that the \u201chealthy\u201d bars she has been eating are actually making her gain weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The controversy led David\u2019s founder, Peter Rahal, to address the allegations: \u201cNo one is getting Regina Georged,\u201d he wrote on X on March 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, after the lawsuit was dismissed, the company said in a statement: \u201cWe are pleased this matter has been resolved and look forward to continuing to focus on our customers and our business. We remain confident in the accuracy of our nutrition labeling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response to an inquiry from NBC News, Rahal reiterated: \u201cDavid is 150 calories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attorneys for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Why they dropped the suit is not known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the center of the controversy was an ingredient in David protein bars that the body does not digest, a modified plant-based fat called esterified propoxylated glycerol, or EPG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis ingredient allows you to actually put less fat grams on the food label itself, because it yields 92% less calories than a typical gram of fat would,\u201d Amy Goodson, a registered dietitian, told NBC News this month. \u201cIt\u2019s resistant to digestive enzymes, so it\u2019s going through your system, but it\u2019s not actually digesting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The calorie count listed on David protein bars, Rahal has maintained, is based on a calculation of just the calories the body absorbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the lawsuit was filed, he called it \u201cfrivolous\u201d and said the plaintiffs had calculated calories incorrectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny time you\u2019re on the forefront of innovation, there\u2019s confusion,\u201d Rahal told NBC News this month. \u201cWe stand by our product fully.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n