Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc. has agreed to a $32 million settlement of a class action lawsuit brought by customers who alleged the Connecticut-based company made false claims about ingredients in its products.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in St. Louis. The settlement was reached last week.
Blue Buffalo, in a news release, denied wrongdoing. In a statement, Blue Buffalo's chairman and founder, Bill Bishop, blamed "misconduct of a former ingredient supplier and a broker" for the mistake. He says the company works tirelessly to make pet food with the finest natural ingredients.
St. Louis-based Nestle Purina PetCare also filed suit against Blue Buffalo last year over advertising claims. Purina officials say their case against Blue Buffalo continues.