Chew on this, Jamie Oliver — you’re being sued.
Celebrity chef Oliver has been slapped with a lawsuit over claims that his recipes are gluten-free, according to court papers obtained by TheWrap.
The Gluten Intolerance Group of North America filed suit against the “Food Revolution” alum on Thursday, claiming that Oliver is using a mark similar to its own, in an effort to “falsely certify that Oliver’s recipes are gluten-free.”
According to the suit, the Gluten Intolerance Group is a “consumer advocate offering support and educational services, and ongoing research for not only to [sic] those with gluten-free disorders but to everyone who has made the choice to live gluten-free.”
As such, the complaint says, “Only when a company has been certified gluten-free by GIG is that company permitted to use GIG’s certification marks on, and in connection with, their goods.”
The certification mark as described in the suit consists of the letters “GF” in a circle along with the words “Certified Gluten-Free.”
According to the suit, the “Counterfeit Mark” used on Oliver’s website consists of the letters “GF” in a circle.
“Through use of a mark identical or substantially similar to Plaintiff’s gluten-free certification marks, Defendants attempt to affiliate themselves, their food programs, and recipes, with Plaintiff,” the suit reads. “Defendants attempt to mislead the public into believing Defendants’ food-related programs and recipes have been certified by Plaintiff as gluten-free, when they have not.”
Alleging trademark infringement, unfair business practices and other counts, the suit seeks unspecified damages.
TheWrap has reached out to Oliver’s camp for comment.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.