The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation declined to consolidate the suits brought by plaintiffs attacking the marketing of beverages as “all natural” even though they allegedly contained a preservative. In re Skinnygirl Margarita Beverage Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, No. 2306 (JPML 12/14/11).

The central allegation was that Skinnygirl Margarita beverage was marketed as being all natural despite some level of sodium benzoate. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407, plaintiffs sought centralization of actions pending in six districts. Plaintiffs sought centralization in the Central District of California or, in the alternative, the District of New Jersey.