New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing the world’s largest beef producer for “false advertising,” alleging that it promised to be sustainable when “the meat industry is a major contributor to climate change.”
The lawsuit filed Wednesday in state court in New York City alleges that giant meat producer JBS Foods said it will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 despite having no viable plan to meet that commitment.
James, who is seeking $454 million from Trump in a civil fraud lawsuit, accused the company of making misleading claims about its promises to curb deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to capitalize on consumers’ desire to drink climate-friendly decisions and boost sales.
The lawsuit cites a full page of a JBS advertisement in a 2021 edition of The New York Times that includes the phrase: “Agriculture can be part of the climate solution.” Bacon, chicken wings and steak with net zero emissions. It’s possible.’
“When companies falsely advertise their commitment to sustainability, they are misleading consumers and endangering our planet.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the world’s largest meat producer, JBS Foods, for “false advertising,” alleging that it promised to be sustainable when “the meat industry is the leading contributor to climate change.”
The lawsuit filed Wednesday in state court in New York City alleges that meat-producing giant JBS said it will reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 despite having no viable plan to meet that commitment.
“JBS USA’s greenwashing exploits the pockets of ordinary Americans and the promise of a healthy planet for future generations,” James said in a prepared statement.
James is asking a court to require JBS USA to end its ‘Net Zero by 2040’ campaign and return profits ‘traceable to its fraudulent, deceptive or illegal acts or practices.’
The lawsuit also seeks civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation to be determined at trial.
A JBS spokesman said the company disagreed with James’ action.
“JBS will continue to partner with farmers, ranchers and our food system partners around the world to help feed a growing population while using fewer resources and reducing the environmental impact of agriculture,” reads a statement sent by email by spokesperson Nikki Richardson.
“Our belief that American agriculture can help sustainably feed the world is unwavering.”
James accused the company of making misleading claims about its promises to curb deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to capitalize on consumers’ desire to make climate-friendly choices and boost sales.
The lawsuit comes in the wake of recent letters from lawmakers in the United States and the United Kingdom to the Securities and Exchange Commission warning against listing JBS.
Lawmakers argue that the capital increase would allow the company, responsible for much of the deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, to cause even more damage.
Beef has the highest total greenhouse gas emissions of any major food product and beef production is linked to large-scale deforestation, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit names as defendants JBS USA Food Company and JBS USA Food Company Holdings, the U.S. subsidiary of the world’s leading producer of meat products based in Brazil.
This comes as James appeared to be mocking former President Trump online as he fights for the staggering nearly $355 million fine in his civil fraud case plus interest.
James has published several times on X the amount the former president owes plus accrued interest, which amounts to more than $112,000 a day.
This comes as James appeared to be mocking former President Trump online as he fights for the staggering nearly $355 million fine in his civil fraud case plus interest. (Pictured: Trump in court during his civil fraud trial in New York)
On Saturday, James posted on X ‘+$114,553.04’ with a retweet of the total fine and interest. On Sunday, he posted ‘+$114,553.04 = $464,805,336.70’. On Friday he posted ‘$464,576,230.62.’
His trolling came after the civil fraud sentence officially took effect on Friday, starting the 30-day clock in which Trump must cough up the cash or post bail.
On February 16, the former president was ordered to pay a whopping $355 million plus more than $100 million in interest after being found liable for fraud for inflating the value of his properties. He was also banned from doing business in New York for three years.
His two adult sons, Don Jr. and Eric, were also fined $4 million each and banned from doing business in the state for two years.
On Monday, the Republican presidential candidate and his children filed an appeal to overturn the verdict in Judge Arthur Engoron’s civil fraud trial, including the hefty fine and ban from doing business in New York, but appealing the ruling will not automatically stop the execution. of the sentence.