Speakers
Beyond Vanilla Labeling
Spencer Sheehan
Sheehan & Associates, P.C.
New York, USA
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The labeling of vanilla flavors has its unique requirements, as they relate to the front label compared to how such flavors are required to be listed in the ingredients. Spencer Sheehan will discuss labeling of flavoring beyond vanilla. This includes situations where a food promotes a characterizing flavor, and if the food contains artificial flavors which have an impact on the food’s taste. Spencer’s discussion will be based on the numerous cases he has filed based on flavor labeling issues.​
Spencer Sheehan, a resident of Great Neck, New York, has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Georgetown University in Foreign Service (2002) and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University (2006). He obtained a Juris Doctorate from Fordham University School of Law (2010). He was a member of the United States Marine Corps as a Reservist.
Spencer’s practice, Sheehan & Associates, P.C., focuses on representation of consumers in a range of false advertising litigation. After Mr. Sheehan became an attorney in late 2011, he worked on behalf of municipalities and local government agencies in legal disputes. Following this experience, Mr. Sheehan worked for a plaintiff’s law firm representing individuals subjected to violations of state and federal laws related to minimum wage, workplace safety and discrimination.
He was appointed lead counsel with the law firms of Reese LLP and Aegis Law Firm, P.C., in Cicciarella v. Califia Farms, LLC, 7:19-cv-08785, S.D.N.Y., in summer 2020. The Court approved a nationwide settlement which resolved the underlying federal action and a California state case. It was alleged that defendant mislabeled its non-dairy milk alternative products with respect to flavoring and the presence of carrageenan.
He was appointed co-lead counsel with Reese LLP in Vizcarra v. Unilever United States, Inc. 4:20-cv-02777, N.D. Cal., in February 2023. The Court certified a class of purchasers of Breyer’s Natural Vanilla Ice Cream where it was alleged the ice cream’s vanilla flavor was from non-vanilla plant sources. In November 2024, the court granted preliminary approval of a settlement of $8.85 million.
He was appointed co-lead counsel with Reese LLP in Sharpe et al. v. A & W Concentrate Co. et al., 1:19-cv-00768, E.D.N.Y., in summer 2021. The Court certified a class of purchasers of A & W Root Beer and Cream Soda marketed as “Made With Aged Vanilla,” where it was alleged the amount of vanilla was de minimis or non-existent and that any vanilla flavoring was provided by the synthetic ingredient of ethyl vanillin. In June 2023, that court granted preliminary approval of a settlement of $15 million.
He was interviewed by Sarah Larson, reporter for The New Yorker, for an article, “The Lies in Your Grocery Store,” September 2023, by Jim Axelrod for CBS Sunday Morning, November 2023, and by many more well-respected journalists in both print, radio, television and podcasting.
In his free time, he volunteers with animal rescue organizations.