Los Angeles (CNS) -- A lawsuit filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court by Richard W. Brown on behalf of Roman Brown, an autistic boy, claims McDonald’s French fries caused him digestive problems and aggravated his symptoms.
The suit alleges fraud, false advertising, and negligent misrepresentation.
The lawsuit is seeking $15,000 for Roman’s medical costs, a share of the profits made by McDonald’s Corp. for the alleged misrepresentation, and unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
The lawsuit claims that up until February 13, McDonald’s advertised and made official claims that their French fries did not contain gluten or casein, neither of which are naturally found in potatoes.
According to the lawsuit, the boy’s autism symptoms of aggression and tantrums increased and his ability to communicate and take care of himself decreased after he ate fried at a McDonald’s restaurant at 27776 McBean parkway in Valencia.
On February 13, the boy and his guardian, Richard Brown, discovered that gluten and casein were used in the French fries for flavoring.
The lawsuit states that, “Previously, (McDonald’s) represented and advertised to the world that McDonald’s French fries were gluten- and casein-free.”
“In most cases, elimination of gluten and casein from an autistic child’s (diet) results in dramatic improvements in the child’s condition, often enabling the child to attend mainstream educational programs in a matter of months,” that lawsuit states.
Paul Alvarez, lawyer for the Browns, and a representative for McDonald’s were not immediately available for comment.
E-Mail
Print
