Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2022
U.S. lawsuit over Swiss-herb throat-relief impression
A plaintiff alleged that Ricola packaging implied that Swiss herbs themselves soothed sore throats, while arguing that menthol was the ingredient responsible for that effect. Ricola denied wrongdoing and said it had complied with applicable regulations. The case was dismissed in 2024 for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.
2019
Claims concerning artificial and non-herbal ingredients
A later U.S. class action alleged that ingredients including malic acid, aspartame, citric acid, sorbitol, ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate conflicted with natural-oriented product claims. In November 2019, two claims were dismissed while two were allowed to proceed at that stage.
2015
Class action over natural-labeling claims
A U.S. class action alleged that ingredients including ascorbic, citric and malic acids were industrially synthesized despite packaging language such as “Naturally Soothing.” The action was withdrawn without explanation in January 2016.