David Protein Bar Lawsuit Dismissed: 'No One is Getting Regina Georged'

The case, which drew comparisons to a 'Mean Girls' storyline, has been voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:07pm

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A group of plaintiffs who accused the protein bar brand David of undercounting the fat and calories in its products has dismissed their class action lawsuit. The company denied the claims, stating the confusion stemmed from the way the plaintiffs tested the bars using a bomb calorimeter, which measures the heat released when a food is burned, rather than the calories the body can actually absorb.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complexities around food labeling and the challenges companies face in accurately representing nutritional information. It also draws parallels to a popular culture reference, showcasing how legal disputes can capture public attention.

The details

The lawsuit, filed in January 2026 in U.S. District Court for Southern New York, alleged that David misled and deceived consumers by labeling its protein bars with lower fat and calorie counts than they actually contain. The plaintiffs claimed lab results showed the bars had over 100 more calories and 10 grams more fat than advertised. However, David denied the allegations, stating the plaintiffs' testing method using a bomb calorimeter did not accurately reflect the calories the body can absorb.

  • The lawsuit was filed on January 23, 2026.
  • The plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the case on March 30, 2026.

The players

Daniella Lopez

A plaintiff from Los Angeles, California who was part of the class action lawsuit against David protein bars.

David Frefield

A plaintiff from Vernon Hills, Illinois who was part of the class action lawsuit against David protein bars.

Crystal Paterson

A plaintiff from New York, New York who was part of the class action lawsuit against David protein bars.

Peter Rahal

The CEO of David, the protein bar brand.

Mitch Culler

A food scientist who explained the difference between a bomb calorimeter and how the body absorbs calories in a video posted by David.

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What they’re saying

“We are pleased this matter has been resolved and look forward to continuing to focus on our customers and our business. We remain confident in the accuracy of our nutrition labeling.”

— Peter Rahal, CEO of David

“The misunderstanding is coming from confusion around a device called a bomb calorimeter, which measures the heat released when a food is burned, and that's actually where the phrase 'burning calories' comes from. But your body is not a furnace. A nutrition facts panel measures the calories that your body can absorb from the food, not just those that are released when it's burned.”

— Mitch Culler, Food Scientist

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities around food labeling and the challenges companies face in accurately representing nutritional information. It also demonstrates how legal disputes can capture public attention through cultural references, in this case the 'Mean Girls' storyline.