Hohenberg v. Ferrero USA, Inc

Filing 83

RESPONSE in Support re 51 MOTION for Class Certification filed by Athena Hohenberg, Laura Rude-Barbato. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Melanie Persinger in Support of Motion for Class Certification, # 2 Exhibit 1 (Redacted excerpts from Deposition Transcript of Connie Evers), # 3 Exhibit 1 (Redacted excerpts from Deposition Transcript of Bernard Kreilmann, # 4 Exhibit 3 (Ferrero Response to Interrogatory No. 4), # 5 Exhibit 4 (Aspen Logistics Item # 89371), # 6 Exhibit 5 (Multi-State Conflicts Analysis))(Fitzgerald, John) (ag).

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LAW OFFICES OF RONALD A. MARRON,
APLC
RONALD A. MARRON (175650)
[e-mail]
3636 4th Avenue, Suite 202
San Diego, California 92103
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]

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THE WESTON FIRM
GREGORY S. WESTON (239944)
[e-mail]
JACK FITZGERALD (257370)
[e-mail]
MELANIE PERSINGER (275423)
[e-mail]
COURTLAND CREEKMORE (182018)
[e-mail]
1405 Morena Blvd., Suite 201
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]

Interim Class Counsel

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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IN RE FERRERO LITIGATION

Case No. 3:11-cv-00205-H-CAB
Pleading Type: Class Action
Action Filed: February 01, 2011
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF
MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION
REDACTED VERSION FOR PUBLIC FILING

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Judge: Hon. Marilyn L. Huff
Date: November 7, 2011
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Courtroom 13

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PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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3 TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ............................................................................................................................... ii
4 I.
5

II.

COMMON QUESTIONS PREDOMINATE ........................................................................................ 1
FERRERO’S PREDOMINANCE ARGUMENTS ARE WRONG ...................................................... 1

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A.

The Content and Veracity of Ferrero’s Messaging can be Determined ClassWide ........................................................................................................................................... 1

B.

Causation—to the Extent Necessary—can be Determined Class-Wide .................................... 2

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C.

Damages can be Determined Class-Wide .................................................................................. 3

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D.

The Class is Ascertainable ......................................................................................................... 4

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III.

THE PROPOSED SCOPE OF THE CLASS IS PROPER .................................................................... 4

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A.

There is a Factual Basis for Certification of a Class Beginning in 2000 ................................... 4

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B.

The Statute of Limitations does not Preclude Certification ....................................................... 6

C.

Application of California Law to a Nationwide Class is Proper ................................................ 7

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1.

California has Significant Contacts with the Class’s Claims ................................... 7

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2.

Ferrero has not Satisfied its Choice-of-Law Burden ................................................ 8

3.

Alternatively, the Court Should Certify a No-Conflicts Multistate
Class ......................................................................................................................... 9

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IV.

CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................... 10

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In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

2 CASES 1
3 Aho v. Americredit Fin. Servs.,
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 80426 (S.D. Cal. July 25, 2011)........................................................................... 2, 7
4
Allapattah Servs. v. Exxon Corp.,
5
333 F.3d 1248 (11th Cir. 2003)...................................................................................................................... 6
6
Ameron Int'l Corp. v. Am. Home Assur. Co.,
7
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 61486 (C.D. Cal. June 6, 2011)................................................................................ 9
8 Arevalo v. Bank of Am. Corp.,
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 34151 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 29, 2011) ............................................................................. 7
9
10 Bates v. United Parcel Serv., Inc.,
511 F.3d 974 (9th Cir. 2007).......................................................................................................................... 2
11
Burdick v. Union Sec. Ins. Co.,
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2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 121768 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 9, 2009) ............................................................................. 6
13

Chacanaca v. Quaker Oats Co.,
752 F. Supp. 2d 1111 (N.D. Cal. 2010) ......................................................................................................... 1
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15 Charlebois v. Angels Baseball, LP,
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 71452 (C.D. Cal. June 30, 2011).............................................................................. 4
16
Chavez v. Blue Sky Nat. Bev. Co.,
17
268 F.R.D. 365 (N.D. Cal. 2010) ........................................................................................................... 2, 3, 4
18
Clark v. Prudential Ins. Co. of Am.,
19
2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 93606 (D.N.J. Sept. 9, 2010) ................................................................................... 6
20 Cohen v. DIRECTV, Inc.,
178 Cal. App. 4th 966 (2009)......................................................................................................................... 2
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22 Colgan v. Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.,
135 Cal. App. 4th 663 (2006)..................................................................................................................... 3, 4
23
Davis v. S. Bell Tel. & Tel. Co.,
24
1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2033 (S.D. Fla. Dec. 23, 1993) ................................................................................ 4
25

Duhaime v. John Hancock Mut. Life Ins. Co.,
177 F.R.D. 54 (D. Mass. 1997) .................................................................................................................... 10
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1

Throughout this brief, citations are omitted and emphases added unless otherwise noted.
ii
In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 F.T.C. v. Figgie Int’l, Inc.,
994 F.3d 595 (9th Cir. 1993).......................................................................................................................... 3
2
3 Fitzpatrick v. General Mills, Inc.,
263 F.R.D. 687 (S.D. Fla. 2010) .................................................................................................................... 2
4
Fletcher v. Sec. Pac. Nat’l Bank,
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23 Cal. 3d 442 (1979) .................................................................................................................................... 4
6 Gen. Bedding Corp. v. Echevarria,
947 F.2d 1395 (9th Cir. 1991)........................................................................................................................ 6
7
8 Grayson v. 7-Eleven, Inc.,
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 62211 (S.D. Cal. June 10, 2011) ............................................................................ 10
9
Greenwood v. CompuCredit Corp.,
10
2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 127719 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 19, 2010) ....................................................................... 2, 7
11

Grimes v. Rave Motion Pictures Birmingham, L.L.C.,
264 F.R.D. 659 (N.D. Ala. 2010) ................................................................................................................... 4
12
13 Hanlon v. Chrysler Corp.,
150 F.3d 1011 (9th Cir. 1998).................................................................................................................... 2, 9
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Henderson v. J.M. Smucker Co.,
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27953 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 17, 2011) ............................................................................. 6

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Hilao v. Estate of Marcos,
103 F.3d 767 (9th Cir. 1996).......................................................................................................................... 4

18 Hodes v. Vans Int’l Foods,
2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 72193 (C.D. Cal. July 23, 2009) .............................................................................. 4
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20 In re Computer Memories Sec. Litig.,
111 F.R.D. 675 (N.D. Cal. 1986) ............................................................................................................... 8, 9
21
In re Conseco Life Ins. Co. Lifetrend Ins. Sales & Mktg. Litig.,
22
270 F.R.D. 521 (N.D. Cal. 2010) ................................................................................................................... 6
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In re Ferrero Litig.,
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 70629 (S.D. Cal. June 30, 2011) .............................................................................. 5
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25 In re Ferrero Litig.,
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 97488 (S.D. Cal. Aug. 29, 2011) ............................................................................. 5
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27 In re Ford Motor Co. E-350 Van Prods. Liab. Litig. (No. II),
2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 73690 (D.N.J. Sept. 2, 2008) ................................................................................. 10
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In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 In re Mex. Money Transfer Litig.,
267 F.3d 743 (7th Cir. 2001)........................................................................................................................ 10
2
3 In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am. Sales Practices Litig.,
148 F.3d 283 (3d Cir. 1998) ........................................................................................................................... 9
4
In re Sch. Abestos Litig.,
5
789 F.2d 996 (3d Cir. 1986) ........................................................................................................................... 9
6 In re St. Jude Med., Inc. Silzone Heart Valve Prods. Liab. Litig.,
2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74797 (D. Minn. Oct. 13, 2006)............................................................................... 9
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8 In re St. Jude Med., Inc. Silzone Heart Valve Prods. Liab. Litig.,
425 F.3d 1116 (8th Cir. 2005)........................................................................................................................ 9
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In re TFT-LCD Antitrust Litig.,
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267 F.R.D. 291 (N.D. Cal. 2010) ................................................................................................................... 6
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In re Toyota Motor Corp. Unintended Acceleration Litig.,
754 F. Supp. 2d 1145 (C.D. Cal. 2010).......................................................................................................... 3
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13 In re Vioxx Class Cases,
180 Cal. App. 4th 116 (2009)......................................................................................................................... 4
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Johansson v. Cent. Garden & Pet Co.,
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 56463 (D.N.J. May 26, 2011) .................................................................................. 8

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Johnson v. General Mills, Inc.,
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 45120 (C.D. Cal. Apr. 20, 2011).......................................................................... 1, 2

18 Keilholtz v. Lennox Hearth Prods.,
2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 81108 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 8, 2009)........................................................................... 6, 8
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20 Khorrami v. Lexmark Int’l,
2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 98807 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 13, 2007) ........................................................................... 10
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Kingsberry v. Chi. Title Ins. Co.,
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258 F.R.D. 668 (W.D. Wash. 2009) ............................................................................................................ 10
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Mass. Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Super. Ct.,
97 Cal. App. 4th 1282 (2002)......................................................................................................................... 2
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25 Mazza v. Am. Honda Motor Co.,
254 F.R.D. 610 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 16, 2008) ..................................................................................................... 8
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27 McKenzie v. Fed. Express Corp.,
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65278 (C.D. Cal. June 16, 2011).............................................................................. 3
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In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 Menagerie Prods. v. Citysearch,
2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108768 (C.D. Cal. Nov. 9, 2009) ............................................................................. 5
2
3 Parkinson v. Hyundai Motor Am.,
258 F.R.D. 580 (C.D. Cal. 2008) ................................................................................................................... 4
4
Pecover Student Advantage, Inc. v. Int’l Student Exch. Cards, Inc.,
5
2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13138 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 12, 2000) ............................................................................. 9
6 Pecover v. Elec. Arts Inc.,
2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 140632 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 21, 2010) ....................................................................... 3, 8
7
8 Plascencia v. Lending 1st Mortg.,
259 F.R.D. 437 (N.D. Cal. 2009) ................................................................................................................... 3
9
Powers v. Lycoming Engines,
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328 Fed. Appx. 121 (3d Cir. 2009) ................................................................................................................ 9
11

Stearns v. Ticketmaster,
2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 17454 (9th Cir. Aug. 22, 2011)................................................................................ 2
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13 Steroid Hormone Prod. Cases,
181 Cal. App. 4th 145 (2010)......................................................................................................................... 2
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Sullivan v. Oracle,
51 Cal. 4th 1191 (2011) ................................................................................................................................. 8

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Tchoboian v. Parking Concepts,
2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 62122 (C.D. Cal. July 16, 2009) .............................................................................. 4

18 Thompson v. Bayer Corp.,
2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15190 (E.D. Ark. Feb. 12, 2009) ............................................................................. 9
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20 Vuyanich v. Republic Nat’l Bank of Dallas,
82 F.R.D. 420 (N.D. Tex. 1979) .................................................................................................................... 2
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Walker v. Ryan’s Family Steak Houses, Inc.,
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400 F.3d 370 (7th Cir. 2005).......................................................................................................................... 9
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Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes,
131 S. Ct. 2541 (2011) ................................................................................................................................... 1
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25 Wash. Mut. Bank v. Super. Ct.,
24 Cal. 4th 906 (2001) ............................................................................................................................... 8, 9
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27 Weinstat v. Dentsply Int’l, Inc.,
180 Cal. App. 4th 1213 (2010)....................................................................................................................... 3
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In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 Wiener v. Dannon Co.,
255 F.R.D. 658 (C.D. Cal. 2009) ............................................................................................................... 3, 4
2
3 Wolph v. Acer Am. Corp.,
272 F.R.D. 477 (N.D. Cal. 2010) ........................................................................................................... 1, 2, 8
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Zeisel v. Diamond Foods, Inc.,
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2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 60608 (N.D. Cal. June 7, 2011) ....................................................................... 2, 3, 4
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7 STATUTES
8 Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17203 .......................................................................................................................... 3
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RULES
Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(e)............................................................................................................................................... 5

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In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 I.

COMMON QUESTIONS PREDOMINATE

2

Although the common questions Plaintiffs initially identified were perhaps stated too abstractly, they

3 nevertheless are common questions. More specifically, they include: (1) whether Ferrero communicated a
4 representation, through Nutella packaging and advertising, that Nutella is healthier or more nutritious than it
5 actually is, or makes a more significant contribution to a balanced breakfast than it actually does, including for
6 children; (2) whether the representations were material to reasonable consumers; (3) whether the
7 representations were false or misleading; (4) whether Ferrero deceptively omitted material facts (See FACC ¶¶
8 28, 95, 97, 99); and (5) if these questions are answered affirmatively, the proper method for calculating the
9 class’s damages and the proper scope of injunctive relief. See, e.g., Johnson v. General Mills, Inc., 2011 U.S.
10 Dist. LEXIS 45120, at *8-9 (C.D. Cal. Apr. 20, 2011); Wolph v. Acer Am. Corp., 272 F.R.D. 477, 488 (N.D.
11 Cal. 2010). These common questions predominate over any individual issues because the putative class
12 members all assert injury from the same conduct—they paid more for Nutella than they otherwise would have
13 absent Ferrero’s misleading advertisements and omissions. This is a cognizable Article III injury. Chacanaca
14 v. Quaker Oats Co., 752 F. Supp. 2d 1111, 1125 (N.D. Cal. 2010). Moreover, determination of whether
15 advertisements and omissions were material and truthful will resolve in “one stroke” an issue that is central to
16 the validity each class member’s UCL, FAL and CLRA claims—whether Nutella was promoted in a manner
17 likely to deceive an ordinary consumer. See Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes, 131 S. Ct. 2541, 2551 (2011).
18 II.

FERRERO’S PREDOMINANCE ARGUMENTS ARE WRONG

19

A.

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Using the same class-wide evidence Plaintiffs submitted, Ferrero asserts it did not convey to

The Content and Veracity of Ferrero’s Messaging can be Determined Class-Wide

21 consumers uniform messaging. See Opp. at 19-20. That question, however, is a predominating class-wide
22 issue that can be demonstrated or refuted with common evidence, as Ferrero demonstrates. Opp. at 18 & n. 11,
23 20 & n.13. Moreover, Ferrero’s argument is contradicted by the record. See Persinger Decl. ¶ 3; Kreilmann
24 Decl. Exs. 2-3 (identifying just two consistent labels used during class period); FACC ¶¶ 91-93 (transcriptions
25 of just three nationally-aired commercials); id. at 18-24 (web); Weston Decl. Exs. 6-10, 12 (print).
26 Representations Ferrero made to which the entire class was not exposed do not detract from what every class
27 member was exposed to: minimally, Nutella’s label, and likely additional aspects of its national advertising
28 blitz. See Kreilmann Decl. ¶¶ 31-32. Nor do differences in class members’ exposure defeat commonality. See
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In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 Hanlon v. Chrysler Corp., 150 F.3d 1011, 1019 (9th Cir. 1998). Thus, Plaintiffs can present class-wide
2 evidence showing Ferrero conveyed common messaging about Nutella’s contribution to healthy eating. See
3 generally Fitzpatrick v. General Mills, Inc., 263 F.R.D. 687, 700 (S.D. Fla. 2010) (“variations in how different
4 advertising statements address Yo-Plus’ purported digestive health benefit are not so significant as to preclude
5 a fact finder from evaluating whether General Mills’ overarching theme . . . is ‘deceptive’”). Finally, questions
6 of science, such as the effect of Nutella on human health, are demonstrated on a generalized basis. Ferrero
7 agrees its messaging may be evaluated by reference to such common evidence. See Persinger Decl. ¶ 4.
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B.

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The UCL and FAL are strict liability statutes under which only the named plaintiff need demonstrate

Causation—to the Extent Necessary—can be Determined Class-Wide

10 injury and causation. In re Tobacco II Cases, 46 Cal. 4th 298, 320 (2009); Mass. Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Super.
11 Ct., 97 Cal. App. 4th 1282, 1288 (2002). Contrary to Ferrero’s assertion of a court split, Opp. at 17 n.10, once
12 a plaintiff has standing, “no further individualized proof of injury or causation is required to impose restitution
13 liability against the defendant in favor of absent class members.” Steroid Hormone Prod. Cases, 181 Cal. App.
14 4th 145, 154 (2010) (abrogating Cohen v. DIRECTV, Inc., 178 Cal. App. 4th 966, 981 (2009)); Stearns v.
15 Ticketmaster, 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 17454, at *13-14 (9th Cir. Aug. 22, 2011). 2 Nevertheless, to the extent
16 reliance is an issue, it can be proven or disproven on a class-wide basis since, “[u]nder California law, reliance
17 may be presumed from a showing that a misrepresentation was material.” Wolph, 272 F.R.D. at 488 (citing
18 Tobacco II, 46 Cal. 4th at 327); Mass. Mut., 97 Cal. App. 4th at 1292 (burden “of showing causation as to
19 each” satisfied “by showing materiality as to all”). This includes CLRA claims. Stearns, 2011 U.S. App.
20 LEXIS 17454, at *17-19. See generally Plascencia v. Lending 1st Mortg., 259 F.R.D. 437, 448 (N.D. Cal.
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Ferrero’s analysis of Stearns is misplaced. First, Judge Carney dismantled the analogy to Stearns Ferrero
attempts to draw here, arguing that class members without standing will supposedly be “swept willy-nilly into
the class,” Opp. at 21. See Johnson, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 103357, at *11-12. Second, the Ninth Circuit did
not hold that absent class members need not have Article III standing, Opp. at 17 n.10. See Stearns, 2011 U.S.
App. LEXIS 17454, at *13-14. Accord Greenwood v. CompuCredit Corp., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 127719, at
*15 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 19, 2010). Third, the Stearns holding is not novel; ample authority shows “passive
[class] members need not make any individual showing of standing,” Zeisel v. Diamond Foods, Inc., 2011
U.S. Dist. LEXIS 60608, at *16 (N.D. Cal. June 7, 2011); see also Bates v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 511 F.3d
974, 985 (9th Cir. 2007); Greenwood, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 127719, at *10; Chavez v. Blue Sky Nat. Bev.
Co., 268 F.R.D. 365, 376 (N.D. Cal. 2010). Instead, a class must be defined so that anyone in it has standing.
See Aho v. Americredit Fin. Servs., 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 80426, at *30 n.7 (S.D. Cal. July 25, 2011).
Accord Vuyanich v. Republic Nat’l Bank of Dallas, 82 F.R.D. 420, 428 (N.D. Tex. 1979) (“If th[e] court,
guided by the nature and purpose of the substantive law on which the plaintiffs base their claims, properly
applies rule 23, then the certified class must necessarily have standing as an entity.”).
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PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 2009) (“Plaintiffs may prove with generalized evidence that Defendants’ conduct was ‘likely to deceive’
2 members of the public.”).
3

Though Plaintiffs need only show materiality may be proved by common evidence, they have already

4 demonstrated it. By showing they relied on Ferrero’s misrepresentations, see Persinger Decl. ¶ 5, the Court
5 may draw an inference of materiality. See Wiener v. Dannon Co., 255 F.R.D. 658, 669 (C.D. Cal. 2009);
6 Weinstat v. Dentsply Int’l, Inc., 180 Cal. App. 4th 1213, 1223 n.8 (2010). Plaintiffs showed Nutella sales
7 increased dramatically upon Ferrero’s embarking on the challenged breakfast messaging campaign. Mot. at 2
8 (chart). 3 Materiality is also established by Ferrero’s attempt to have “key opinion leaders,” like pediatricians
9 and nutritionists, convey Nutella messaging on Ferrero’s behalf, since reasonable people find the advice of
10 physicians and academics material. Finally, the challenged statements and advertising convey a message that
11 Nutella is a nutritious breakfast food for children. Common sense suggests such representations are material to
12 reasonable consumers. C.f. In re Toyota Motor Corp. Unintended Acceleration Litig., 754 F. Supp. 2d 1145,
13 1191 (C.D. Cal. 2010) (“common sense supports Plaintiffs’ claim that a potential car buyer would view as
14 material a defect that relates to control over the speed of the car”); Colgan v. Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.,
15 135 Cal. App. 4th 663, 672 (2006) (“The evidence presented was sufficient, without further extrinsic
16 evidence—such as a consumer survey—to establish that Leatherman’s representations were deceptive.”).
17

C.

18

Courts have often rejected Ferrero’s assertion that individual issues of damages, which will almost

Damages can be Determined Class-Wide

19 always be present in consumer class actions, predominate. See, e.g., McKenzie v. Fed. Express Corp., 2011
20 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65278, at *30 n.3 (C.D. Cal. June 16, 2011) (“The fact that individualized proof of damages
21 may ultimately be necessary does not mean, however, that [plaintiff’s] theory of recovery is not amenable to
22 class treatment.”); Pecover v. Elec. Arts Inc., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 140632, at *31 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 21,
23 2010); see also Zeisel, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 60608, at *33; Chavez, 268 F.R.D. at 379. Ferrero is wrong that
24 class members are entitled only to the difference in purchase price between Nutella and a substitute product.
25 While this is one accepted and provable measure, another is restitution of the purchase price. F.T.C. v. Figgie
26 Int’l, Inc., 994 F.3d 595, 606 (9th Cir. 1993); Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17203; Zeisel, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS
27

3

Ferrero is free to argue to the jury that “correlation is not causation,” Opp. at 21, and that other factors
28 affected the increase in sales, but even in doing so, Ferrero would resort to the same common evidence as
Plaintiffs—the comparison of its advertising and promotional spending to its sales.
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In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 60608, at *34; Fletcher v. Sec. Pac. Nat’l Bank, 23 Cal. 3d 442, 450-51 (1979). Either way, the remedy can be
2 adjudicated in a class setting. Ferrero’s interest is not in the amount a class member receives, but the aggregate
3 amount awarded. Hilao v. Estate of Marcos, 103 F.3d 767, 786-87 (9th Cir. 1996). This can be calculated
4 from Ferrero’s records, including retail pricing, sales, and revenues. Once calculated, distributing the fund is a
5 routine matter for claims administrators. See Weiner, 255 F.R.D. at 670; Chavez, 268 F.R.D. at 379; accord
6 Davis v. S. Bell Tel. & Tel. Co., 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2033, at *21-22 (S.D. Fla. Dec. 23, 1993). 4
7

D.

8

A class is ascertainable so long as the definition specifies “a distinct group of plaintiffs whose

The Class is Ascertainable

9 members [can] be identified with particularity.” Charlebois v. Angels Baseball, LP, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS
10 71452, at *7 (C.D. Cal. June 30, 2011). “Objective criteria must be used to ascertain class members.” Id.
11 District courts routinely certify consumer class actions where class members’ identities are not known at the
12 time of certification, and where notice will be required to allow class members to self-identify. See Tchoboian
13 v. Parking Concepts, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 62122, at *14 (C.D. Cal. July 16, 2009); Zeisel, 2011 U.S. Dist.
14 LEXIS 60608, at *20-21 & n.10; Parkinson v. Hyundai Motor Am., 258 F.R.D. 580, 594 (C.D. Cal. 2008);
15 Chavez, 268 F.R.D. at 377. 5 Ferrero’s assertion that a consumer class cannot be certified unless all its
16 members have receipts is wrong; the absence of store receipts is not the absence of proof of purchase. Class
17 members may swear or affirm that they purchased Nutella.
18 III.

THE PROPOSED SCOPE OF THE CLASS IS PROPER

19

A.

20

Ferrero does not dispute that a class should be certified beginning at least in August 2009, Opp. at 15.

There is a Factual Basis for Certification of a Class Beginning in 2000

21 But Plaintiffs’ motion clearly delineates the challenged conduct during the class period, both before and after
22 August 2009. Mot. at 3-11. Ferrero confirms this. Kreilmann Decl. ¶ 30. Ms. Rude-Barbato testified she may
23

4

Colgan, 135 Cal. App. 4th 663, involved a decision of the lower court on the merits. And In re Vioxx
24 Class Cases, 180 Cal. App. 4th 116, 135-36 (2009) did not hold that class-wide damages cannot be calculated
where a product does not provide the advertised benefit; rather, the court found individual medical histories,
25 treatment needs and drug interactions were at issue. Id. at 136. See Opp. at 22-23.
5
Hodes v. Vans Int’l Foods, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 72193, at *11 (C.D. Cal. July 23, 2009), see Opp. at
26 24, is distinguishable because, unlike here where a single product and label is at issue, the proposed class
definition captured consumers who purchased “frozen waffles in a variety of product lines,” id. at *3, some of
27 which did not bear the challenged claims. And Grimes v. Rave Motion Pictures Birmingham, L.L.C., 264
F.R.D. 659 (N.D. Ala. 2010) involved claims about receipts (i.e., under the Fair and Accurate Credit
28 Transactions Act—FACTA), and the problem was “there is no way to determine who was or was not issued a
FACTA non-compliant receipt,” i.e., to resolve the merits of the underlying claim.
4
In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 have seen Nutella advertising as early as 2003. Rude-Barbato Dep. Tr. 162:6-163:4. In addition, though
2 Plaintiffs purchased Nutella after August 2009, their claims are typical of the claims of pre-2009 Nutella
3 purchasers. Since January 2000, Nutella has been marketed as a “hazelnut spread” made with “over 50
4 hazelnuts per jar,” containing “quality ingredients,” and has been deceptively categorized as a nut spread, see
5 Mot. at 3-4. Beginning in August 2009, additional variations of the messaging were added via its “balanced
6 breakfast” campaign, but Plaintiffs allege a consistent campaign to hide the real nutritional quality of Nutella
7 during the entire class period. Ferrero nevertheless lodges two challenges: that Plaintiffs “do not object” to the
8 statements, and that they “are not in the case.” Opp. at 12. For its first challenge, the testimony Ferrero cites
9 does not support its contention. See Persinger Decl. ¶ 6. But even if Ferrero’s characterization of the cherry10 picked testimony was valid, that is no matter, since Plaintiffs’ claims “will be adjudicated under the
11 ‘reasonable consumer’ standard rather than by examining the individual circumstances of each plaintiff.”
12 Menagerie Prods. v. Citysearch, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108768, at *43-44 (C.D. Cal. Nov. 9, 2009).
13

Moreover, the statements are in the case. The Complaint describes the statements in the context of a

14 discussion about the Nutella website, see FACC ¶ 81, but the allegation does not, on its face, relate exclusively
15 to the website. Ferrero is correct that the Court previously noted Plaintiffs challenge “hazelnut”
16 representations in their discussion of Nutella’s website, which it initially held Plaintiffs did not have standing
17 to challenge. See In re Ferrero Litig., 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 70629, at *13 (S.D. Cal. June 30, 2011).
18 Nonetheless the Court held the “balanced breakfast” claim on Nutella’s label was not puffery because it
19 “contribute[d] ‘to the deceptive context of the packaging as a whole.’” Id. at *17. Thus the full campaign was
20 always at issue. In addition, notwithstanding the Complaint’s unfortunate but merely inartful drafting,
21 Plaintiffs’ intent to challenge those representations on Nutella’s label has always been clear. Moreover, the
22 Court later held they had standing to challenge those representations, though it did not revisit the preemption
23 issue raised on Ferrero’s first Rule 12 motion. See In re Ferrero Litig., 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 97488 (S.D.
24 Cal. Aug. 29, 2011). 6 While Plaintiffs should have better amended their Complaint to clarify that hazelnut
25 challenges related to every aspect of Nutella’s marketing including its label, Ferrero cannot claim surprise, and
26 Plaintiffs would respectfully request that the Court construe the pleading “so as to do justice.” See Fed. R. Civ.
27
28

6

Plaintiffs do not object to revisiting Ferrero’s argument that hazelnut statements are preempted, see Opp.
at 12-13, and rest on their Opposition to Ferrero’s first Motion to Dismiss. See Dkt. No. 39 at 9-11.
5
In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 P. 8(e). Alternatively, if the Court is otherwise inclined to grant class certification, Plaintiffs would request
2 leave to amend their Complaint to conform it to the certification class. Finally, even if the hazelnut
3 representations on Nutella’s label are not “in the case,” and the Court does not permit them in, either under
4 Rule 8(e) or 15, Ferrero wholly ignores that Plaintiffs also challenge—prior to 2009—an element of Ferrero’s
5 conduct that is not dependent upon any specific advertising statements, the in-store placement of Nutella as a
6 nut product. See FACC ¶ 98.
7

B.

8

Plaintiffs propose a class period predating the statute of limitations under their California law claims

The Statute of Limitations does not Preclude Certification

9 on the basis of their properly-pled delayed discovery allegations, FACC ¶¶ 115-18. See Henderson v. J.M.
10 Smucker Co., 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27953, at *6-8 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 17, 2011). 7 Ferrero’s argument that
11 certification of a class beginning in 2000 is “prohibited” by the statute of limitations, Opp. at 13, is wrong. See
12 In re Conseco Life Ins. Co. Lifetrend Ins. Sales & Mktg. Litig., 270 F.R.D. 521, 531 n.8 (N.D. Cal. 2010)
13 (“individual issues relating to the statute of limitations do not bar certification where there is otherwise a
14 sufficient showing of commonality.”). Delayed discovery allegations may be applied class-wide so long as
15 Plaintiff could submit common proof on which a fact-finder could find it should apply. C.f. Allapattah Servs.
16 v. Exxon Corp., 333 F.3d 1248, 1263 (11th Cir. 2003) (upholding application of tolling allegations to entire
17 class); In re TFT-LCD Antitrust Litig., 267 F.R.D. 291, 310 (N.D. Cal. 2010) (common issues predominated
18 where “critical inquiry” in fraudulent concealment allegations focused on defendant’s behavior). The elements
19 of delayed discovery are (a) lack of knowledge, (b) lack of means of obtaining knowledge in the exercise of
20 reasonable diligence, and (c) the manner of actual discovery. See Gen. Bedding Corp. v. Echevarria, 947 F.2d
21 1395, 1397 (9th Cir. 1991) (applying California law). Plaintiffs can prove each element by reference to
22 common proof, i.e., that Ferrero was “in a far superior position to know of the act and the injury, and the act
23 and the injury are difficult for the plaintiff to detect.” Keilholtz v. Lennox Hearth Prods., 2009 U.S. Dist.
24 LEXIS 81108, at *9-10 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 8, 2009). See generally FACC ¶ 117. Class-wide proof of the manner
25 of discovery for unnamed class members will consist of the public notice distributed upon certification of a
26
7

Ferrero’s assertion, relying on Karl Storz, that “the statue of limitations under the UCL cannot be tolled,”
Opp. at 13, has been rejected. See Clark v. Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 93606, at *4628 54 (D.N.J. Sept. 9, 2010); Burdick v. Union Sec. Ins. Co., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 121768, at *34 n.16 (C.D.
Cal. Dec. 9, 2009).
27

6
In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 class in this case. If the statute of limitations did present a predominating individual issue, however, the
2 remedy would be to narrow the class definition to the statutory period, not to deny certification.
3

Nor is Ferrero’s standing argument apt. See Opp. at 14-15. So long as Plaintiffs establish personal

4 standing, they may represent a class whose claims are typical. See Arevalo v. Bank of Am. Corp., 2011 U.S.
5 Dist. LEXIS 34151, at *12-13 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 29, 2011) (“[W]hen class representatives establish standing . . .
6 the requirements of Rule 23(a) are ordinarily the best means of ‘effectively limit[ing] the class claims to those
7 fairly encompassed by the named plaintiff’s claims’”); Greenwood, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 127719, at *8-9
8 (whether named plaintiffs with personal standing “may be allowed to present claims on behalf of others who
9 have similar, but not identical, interests depends not on standing, but on an assessment of typicality and
10 adequacy of representation”); Aho, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 80426, at *30-31 n.7 (the “ability of [a] class
11 representative to assert claims on behalf of absent class members is not a standing issue, but ‘depends rather
12 on meeting the prerequisites of Rule 23 governing class actions’”). Ferrero does not contest Plaintiffs’
13 personal standing, the typicality of their claims to the entire class’s claims, nor the adequacy of their
14 representation. Nor could it. Persinger Decl. ¶ 5; Opp. at 21 (“both plaintiffs allege that advertisements for
15 Nutella played some role in their purchasing decisions” 8). Ferrero’s assertion that Plaintiffs did not purchase
16 Nutella with PHVO, Opp. at 14, is misplaced. Minor factual differences, like the exact formulation of Nutella,
17 which has changed several times, not just once, see Persinger Decl. ¶ 9, do not defeat commonality where all
18 class members will advance the same legal theory—that Nutella’s advertising is deceptive in light of its
19 objectionable ingredients, whether sugar and saturated fat, or sugar, saturated fat and trans fat.
20

C.

21

Application of California Law to a Nationwide Class is Proper
1.

22

California has Significant Contacts with the Class’s Claims

“[T]he Due Process Clause . . . provide[s] modest restrictions on the application of forum law.”

23 Phillips Petroleum Co. v. Shutts, 472 U.S. 797, 818 (1985). A state need only “have a significant contact or
24 significant aggregation of contacts, creating state interests, such that choice of its law is neither arbitrary nor
25 fundamentally unfair.” Id. That is because Due Process serves only to prevent the extreme of applying the law
26 of a state “only casually or slightly related to the litigation.” Id at 819. California is not “only casually or
27 slightly related” to the claims of the class. One contact is so significant as to satisfy Due Process itself: the
28

8

Additional reasons Plaintiffs bought Nutella, Opp. at 20-21, are irrelevant. Tobacco II, 46 Cal. 4th at 326.
7
In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 most distinctive and by far most expensive aspect of Ferrero’s marketing, the nationally-aired television
2 commercials, were filmed in California, Persinger Decl. ¶¶ 8, 10, and therefore “emanate” from here. See, e.g.,
3 Mazza v. Am. Honda Motor Co., 254 F.R.D. 610, 620 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 16, 2008) (television advertising created
4 in California supported certifying national California law class). There is also an aggregation of contacts
5 satisfying Due Process. All the Nutella in the United States is distributed by

companies, one of which

6 is a California Company, Aspen Logistics. See Persinger Decl. ¶ 7; Kreilmann Decl. ¶ 20. Aspen distributes
7 Nutella to 11 states. Persinger Decl. ¶ 11. And while OHL currently distributes Nutella from
8

, Kreilmann Decl. ¶ 20, it also distributed Nutella from California during most the class period. See id.

9 (receipts of Nutella from OHL in Ontario, California); id. ¶ 7 (Kreilmann testifying, “[OHL was] performing
10 this activity for us in California.”). See also Mot. at 22 (discussing additional contacts). 9
11

2.

12

Ferrero has not Satisfied its Choice-of-Law Burden

As the proponent of foreign law, Ferrero had to show material difference from and actual conflict with

13 California law, and a greater interest in the application of foreign law. See Keilholtz, 268 F.R.D. at 340;
14 Pecover, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 140632, at *53; Wolph, 272 F.R.D. at 484-86; Wash. Mut. Bank v. Super. Ct.,
15 24 Cal. 4th 906, 919-20 (2001). Instead, “[a]lthough the defendant[] . . . indicat[ed] that numerous
16 jurisdictions have laws that differ from the relevant California laws, the defendant[] ha[s] not requested that
17 the Court apply the law of another jurisdiction[ 10] or argued that the interests of any particular jurisdiction
18 would be more impaired than those of California if the jurisdiction’s law were not applied.” In re Computer
19 Memories Sec. Litig., 111 F.R.D. 675, 685 (N.D. Cal. 1986). Compare Opp. at 1-11. “[I]f the foreign law
20 proponent fails to identify any actual conflict or to establish the other state’s interest in having its own law
21 applied, even if there were a conflict, California law would prevail based on the third prong[.]” Pecover
22

9

Ferrero’s reliance on Sullivan v. Oracle, 51 Cal. 4th 1191 (2011) for the proposition that California
23 independently prohibits the application of California law to a nationwide class where there are sufficient
contacts to satisfy Due Process, see Opp. at 9-10, is misplaced. Sullivan involved an idiosyncratic question of
24 whether a claim could be maintained under the UCL “in the circumstances of this case,” a phrase the Sullivan
court repeated throughout, suggesting its narrow holding, 51 Cal. 4th at 1196 (also noting “no question
25 concerning class certification is before us”). See also id. at 1207 n.9 (“We need not address any . . .
constitutional issue [of Due Process under Shutts]”). The Sullivan court did not, as Ferrero suggests, Opp. at
26 9:16, even address the FAL or CLRA. And the presumption in Sullivan is not new; many nationwide
California law classes have been certified where Shutts was met since the 1999 decisions cited concerning the
27 presumption, id. at 1207.
10
This is probably because “Plaintiffs’ causes of action under the UCL and CLRA are similar to the causes
28 of action provided under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.” Johansson v. Cent. Garden & Pet Co., 2011
U.S. Dist. LEXIS 56463, at *10 (D.N.J. May 26, 2011).
8
In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 Student Advantage, Inc. v. Int’l Student Exch. Cards, Inc., 2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13138, at *59 (S.D.N.Y.
2 Sept. 12, 2000).
3
4

3.

Alternatively, the Court Should Certify a No-Conflicts Multistate Class

If the Court determines that California does not have the requisite contacts, the next step is to

5 determine if California law materially conflicts with any other law that could apply, since there is “no
6 constitutional injury to out-of-state plaintiffs in applying [a state’s] law unless [the state’s] law is in conflict
7 with other states’ laws.” Shutts, 472 U.S. at 816; see also Ameron Int'l Corp. v. Am. Home Assur. Co., 2011
8 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 61486, at *28 (C.D. Cal. June 6, 2011) (“If there is no material difference, there is no choice
9 of law problem, and the court may apply California law[,]” citing Wash. Mut., 24 Cal. 4th at 920); In re
10 Computer Memories, 111 F.R.D. at 686 (“unless such a conflict exists, it would be impossible for the
11 application of forum law to violate the Constitution”); Walker v. Ryan’s Family Steak Houses, Inc., 400 F.3d
12 370, 377 (7th Cir. 2005); In re St. Jude Med., Inc. Silzone Heart Valve Prods. Liab. Litig., 425 F.3d 1116,
13 1120 (8th Cir. 2005); Thompson v. Bayer Corp., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15190, at *8 (E.D. Ark. Feb. 12,
14 2009). “In many situations, there will be several constitutionally permissible choices of law.” In re St. Jude
15 Med., Inc. Silzone Heart Valve Prods. Liab. Litig., 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74797, at *7 (D. Minn. Oct. 13,
16 2006) (citing Shutts, 472 U.S. at 823). “If a complete choice-of-law analysis ha[s] been conducted and
17 indicated that more than one jurisdiction’s law applie[s], consideration should . . . be[] given to ‘whether
18 variations in state laws present the types of insuperable obstacles which render class action litigation
19 unmanageable.’” Powers v. Lycoming Engines, 328 Fed. Appx. 121, 127 (3d Cir. 2009). An action may still
20 proceed on behalf of consumers from different states where “varying state laws [could] be grouped by shared
21 elements and applied as a unit in such a way that the litigation class is manageable.” Id. (citing, inter alia, In
22 re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am. Sales Practices Litig., 148 F.3d 283, 315 (3d Cir. 1998) (finding various states’
23 laws could be applied in this fashion); In re Sch. Abestos Litig., 789 F.2d 996, 1010-11 (3d Cir. 1986)
24 (plaintiffs made “a credible showing” that a class action could be managed in this fashion)); see also Hanlon,
25 150 F.3d at 1022 (“Variations in state law do not necessarily preclude a 23(b)(3) action, but class counsel
26 should be prepared to demonstrate the commonality of substantive law applicable to all class members,” citing
27 Shutts, 472 U.S. at 821-23); Grayson v. 7-Eleven, Inc., 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 62211, at *14-15 (S.D. Cal.
28 June 10, 2011) (suggesting multi-state class action may be certified where counsel “affirmatively
9
In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 demonstrate[s] the accuracy of the assertion” that “variations regarding [state] claims . . . could be managed in
2 a practical manner”); Khorrami v. Lexmark Int’l, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 98807, at *12 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 13,
3 2007) (“the United States Supreme Court has instructed that ‘multi-state, and even nationwide class actions
4 can be, and are, maintained in many instances’”); Duhaime v. John Hancock Mut. Life Ins. Co., 177 F.R.D. 54,
5 64 (D. Mass. 1997) (“Insofar as class members assert claims for fraud or misrepresentation under various state
6 laws, the differences among these laws do not appear to be so great as to undermine the predominance of the
7 common questions”); c.f. In re Mex. Money Transfer Litig., 267 F.3d 743, 747-48 (7th Cir. 2001) (“Sometimes
8 class treatment will be inappropriate . . . when recovery depends on law that varies materially from state to
9 state. The class representatives [can] avoid[] this pitfall . . . [by] confin[ing] their theories to. . . aspects of state
10 law that are uniform[.]”). Here, a class comprised of consumers from 32 states and the District of Columbia
11 will not create predominance or manageability problems because there are no true substantive conflicts with
12 California’s statutes so the jury can be instructed on common elements. See Persinger Decl. ¶ 12. Accordingly,
13 if the Court does not certify a nationwide class, Plaintiffs request it certify instead the following class: 11
14
15
16
17
18

All persons (excluding officers, directors and employees of Ferrero) who purchased Nutella®,
on or after February 1, 2006, 12 for their own or household use rather than resale or distribution,
in any of the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Vermont.
If, however, the Court is disinclined to certify both a nationwide and the proposed multi-state class, Plaintiffs

19 would respectfully request that the Court do one or more of the following: (a) certify a California-only class,
20 (b) grant Plaintiffs leave to amend their Complaint to add a cause of action under the NJCFA and leave to file
21 a renewed motion for class certification for that claim; or (c) grant Plaintiffs leave to file a motion for class
22 certification concerning their warranty claims. 13
23 IV.

CONCLUSION

24

Plaintiffs respectfully request the Court grant their Motion, and that any denial be without prejudice.

25

11
12

This request is proper. See Charlebois, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 71452, at *9.
Because variation in state tolling laws do materially vary, Plaintiffs confine their proposed multi-state
class to the statutory period under California law.
13
See, e.g., In re Ford Motor Co. E-350 Van Prods. Liab. Litig. (No. II), 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 73690
27
(D.N.J. Sept. 2, 2008) (applying California breach of warranty law in multistate class action”); Kingsberry v.
28 Chi. Title Ins. Co., 258 F.R.D. 668, 669-70 (W.D. Wash. 2009) (“[T]he spectre of having to apply different
substantive law does not warrant refusing to certify a class on . . . common law claims.” (quotations omitted)).
26

10
In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

1 DATED: October 21, 2011

Respectfully Submitted,

2

/s/ Jack Fitzgerald
Jack Fitzgerald

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THE WESTON FIRM
JACK FITZGERALD
GREGORY S. WESTON
MELANIE PERSINGER
COURTLAND CREEKMORE
1405 Morena Blvd., Suite 201
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
LAW OFFICES OF RONALD A. MARRON, APLC
RONALD A. MARRON
3636 4th Street, Suite 202
San Diego, CA 92103
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
Interim Class Counsel

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In re Ferrero Litigation, No. 11-205 (S.D. Cal.)
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION