A Florida woman is suing Kraft for US$5M, saying Velveeta microwave mac and cheese takes longer to make than advertised

The label on a cup of Velveeta's microwaveable mac and cheese says the meal only takes three and a half minutes to prepare. But a Florida woman says this is false -- and she's suing the manufacturer for US$5 million.
Amanda Ramirez, of Hialeah, has filed a proposed $5 million class action lawsuit against Kraft Heinz Foods Company alleging the food producer's Velveeta Shells & Cheese takes longer than advertised to prepare, court documents show.
Attorneys for Ramirez filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on November 18, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit claims that the packaging on the microwavable single-serve cups of mac and cheese that says it will be "ready in 3½ minutes," is "false and misleading."
The product's instructions say to microwave the cup for 3½ minutes. But Ramirez's attorneys argue this number doesn't account for the other four steps required to prepare the pasta: removing the lid and sauce pouch, adding water, microwaving, and stirring, according to court documents. The additional steps mean it's impossible for the mac and cheese to be ready in just three and a half minutes, according to the complaint.
Kraft Heinz Foods Company dismissed the lawsuit as "frivolous" in a statement.
"We are aware of this frivolous lawsuit and will strongly defend against the allegations in the complaint," a Kraft Heinz Foods Company spokesperson told CNN Monday.
The lawsuit alleges that Kraft is unfairly profiting off of false advertising on the cups, especially because customers trust the well-known brand to be honest with them.
Ramirez's lawyers argue that the company sells the product at "a substantial price premium" while using its "misleading" marketing of "'ready in 3½ minutes,' which instantly catches the eye of all reasonable consumers."
Customers are paying more than they otherwise would because of the three and a half minutes claim, the lawsuit alleges.
Ramirez "is like many consumers who seek to stretch their money as far as possible when buying groceries," the complaint states. But because of the time claim, she "paid more for the Product than she would have paid and would not have purchased it or paid less had she known the truth."
In addition to the $5 million in damages, the plaintiff also seeks punitive damages from Kraft Heinz Foods Company and asks the company "be ordered to cease its deceptive advertising" as well as "be made to engage in a corrective advertising campaign" according to court documents.
CNN has reached out to attorneys for Ramirez for additional comment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Legitimately flabbergasting': MP raises concerns over government's quarantine hotel spending
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner is raising concerns over the federal government's spending on so-called COVID-19 quarantine hotels, calling the total spent on a Calgary-area hotel in 2022 'legitimately flabbergasting.'

Man spends 24 hours in Toronto Denny's after losing bet, raises almost $6K for charity
At first, Juan Delgado agreed to spend 24 hours inside a Dundas St. Denny’s as a consequence of losing in his fantasy football league.
Discovery in Canadian lab could help laptop, phone and car batteries last longer
A chance discovery in a Canadian laboratory could help extend the life of laptop, phone and electric car batteries.
Loblaw ends No Name price freeze, vows 'flat' pricing 'wherever possible'
Loblaw will not be extending its price freeze on No Name brand products, but vows to keep the yellow label product-pricing flat 'wherever possible.'
Woman detained in Syria says Ottawa is forcing her to make agonizing choice in order to get her kids to Canada
A woman held in a detention camp in Syria, along with her three Canadian children, says the federal government is forcing her to make an agonizing choice: relinquish custody of her kids so they can be repatriated to Canada, or keep them in the camp where the conditions are dire. Her children are eligible for repatriation but she is not a Canadian citizen.
Banff National Park cave creature exists 'no where else': Parks Canada
A cave in Banff National Park has been recognized as a globally significant location thanks to a tiny creature found inside.
Jeopardy! dedicates entire category to Ontario but one question stumps every contestant
Jeopardy! turned the spotlight on Ontario on Monday night with a category entirely dedicated to the province. One question stumped every contestant.
B.C. man facing extradition to U.S. for alleged sex crimes against stepdaughter
A Vancouver Island man is awaiting possible extradition to the United States on charges of sexual assault against his 13-year-old stepdaughter.
Toronto student’s algorithm helps detect radio signals emitting from 5 distant stars
A new artificial intelligence algorithm created by a Toronto student is helping researchers search the stars for signs of life.