They are easy to find on many restaurant menus. Those low fat or low calorie meals for people who are battling the bulge. But do those menu items really deliver what they promise?
For one locally based restaurant chain, the answer is no, according to a 27-page class action lawsuit filed by a Washington DC law firm.
"It's taking advantage of people who want to pay attention to their health and selling them something that's going to hurt them," said Alyson A. Foster, the attorney who filed the suit against Overland Park based Applebee's, its parent company and Weight Watchers. They are charged with making low fat claims and selling meals loaded with fat and calories, in some cases.
Foster filed the suit on behalf of consumers across the country claiming the entrees on Applebees special Weight Watchers section are listed as healthy menus, but often times "inaccurately represent the caloric and fat content of the food at issue."
Foster said the lawsuit is really about "false advertising where people bought something that was advertised differently than what they thought they were getting."
Our Investigation
Applebee's low fat claims did not add up when the NBC Action News Investigators ordered and tested food from its low fat/low cal menu items. The Investigators, along with our sister stations across the country, shipped low fat and calorie items from several restaurant chains last May to EPA certified Analytical Laboratories, Inc. in Boise, Idaho.
Multiple items from the menu did not match their listed nutritional information. The Cajun Lime Tilapia is supposed to have six fat grams. Instead the lab found twice that with 12 grams of fat. The Garlic Herb Chicken is supposed to also have six fat grams. The lab counted 18 fat grams with the calorie count almost the same.
"One time may not make that much difference but over time, and especially if someone eats out a lot, it can have a significant impact." said registered dietician Susan Grammond.
Company Comment
Applebee's offered a statement in response to our inquries.
"We take the claims made regarding our Weight Watchers menu items very seriously. While variation between listed and actual nutritional information is inevitable, we take care to advise our guests of this in our menus.
Since introducing the Weight Watchers menu items, we have undertaken significant efforts to minimize the potential for variations in ingredient portioning and cooking methods for these products. We are closely reviewing the claims made in the litigation. Based on our review, we do not believe the claims have merit."
Weight Watchers did not offer any statement.
How to Join the Class Action Lawsuit
Anyone who has eaten at Applebee's in the last couple of years and eaten from the Weight Watchers menu qualifies to be part of this class action lawsuit.
Contact the law firm:
Gilbert Oshinsky, LLP
1100 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 2005
(202) 772-2441
