Daniel v. Mondelez Int'l, Inc., 287 F. Supp. 3d 177 (2018)

Feb. 26, 2018 · United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York · 17–CV–00174 (MKB)
287 F. Supp. 3d 177

Tamika DANIEL, on behalf of herself and others similarly situated, Plaintiff,
v.
MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL, INC., Defendant.

17-CV-00174 (MKB)

United States District Court, E.D. New York.

Filed February 26, 2018

*180C.K. Lee, Lee Litigation Group, PLLC, New York, NY, for Plaintiff

MEMORANDUM & ORDER

MARGO K. BRODIE, United States District Judge:

*181Plaintiff Tamika Daniel commenced a putative class action on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated against Defendant Mondelez International Inc. (Compl., Docket Entry No. 1.) Plaintiff alleges that "non-functional slack-fill" ("excessive empty space") in Defendant's Swedish Fish brand candy product (the "Product") misrepresents the amount of food, (id. ¶¶ 2-4), which violates sections 349 and 350 of New York's General Business Law ("GBL") and constitutes common law fraud under New York state law, (id. ¶¶ 58, 66, 72, 82). Plaintiff seeks monetary damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys' fees. (Id. ¶¶ 64, 71, 80, 87.) Defendant moves to dismiss the Complaint pursuant to Rules 12(b)(6) and 9(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (Def. Mot. to Dismiss ("Def. Mot."), Docket Entry No. 22; Def. Mem. in Supp. of Def. Mot. ("Def. Mem."), Docket Entry No. 22-1.) For the reasons discussed below, the Court grants Defendant's motion to dismiss in its entirety. The Court grants Plaintiff leave to amend only her statutory claims and finds that she lacks standing to pursue injunctive relief.

I. Background

The facts alleged in the Complaint are assumed to be true for the purpose of deciding Defendant's motion. Plaintiff is a citizen of the state of New York and resides in Kings County. (Compl. ¶ 19.) Defendant is a corporation organized under the laws of Virginia with its headquarters in Illinois.1 (Id. ¶ 21.) Plaintiff alleges that Defendant misleadingly "label[s], packag[es], and advertis[es]" its Product which is "regularly sold at convenience stores, grocery stores, and supermarkets." (Id. ¶¶ 1, 22.)

According to Plaintiff, the Product is "packaged in a transparent plastic pouch inside a non-transparent thin cardboard box" standing "almost exactly [six] inches tall." (Id. ¶¶ 4-5.) Plaintiff asserts that the size of the box misleads purchasers by "mak[ing] it appear as though [consumers] are buying more than what is actually being sold." (Id. ¶ 4.) While conceding that some "slack-fill," (the empty space within the Product's packaging), may be justified, Plaintiff alleges that the current amount "exceeds" what is necessary. (Id. ¶ 6.) By way of comparison, Plaintiff alleges that Trolli® Sour Brite Crawlers minis and Dots®, other gummy candies, are packaged in similar sized boxes with significantly less slack-fill. (Id. ¶¶ 6-9.) Relying on these comparisons, Plaintiff contends that the Product contains misleading slack-fill as defined by the Federal Food Drug & Cosmetic Act ("FDCA") Section 403(d) ( 21 U.S.C. 343(d) ), the Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 part 100, et seq. , and parallel state laws. (Id. ¶¶ 2, 32-33.)

Plaintiff purchased two boxes of the Product relying on the size of the containers. (Id. ¶ 19.) Plaintiff first purchased the Product on Long Island, New York in 2016. (Id. ) Despite noticing the slack-fill, Plaintiff assumed that that particular box "had been inadequately filled by accident." (Id. ) Plaintiff only "realized that the slack-fill was there by design" after purchasing another box on December 8, 2016, at the *182Atlantic Center Target Store in Brooklyn, New York for $1.08. (Id. ) Having purchased the Product "on the reasonable assumption that [the] box was filled to functional capacity," Plaintiff was disappointed by the extent of slack-fill, and "would not have paid [$1.08] had she known that the box was more than half empty or had the box been proportioned to its actual contents." (Id. ¶ 20.)

Plaintiff includes in the Complaint photographs of the Product's packaging as well as that of the alleged comparator candies. (See id. ¶¶ 4, 6, 8.) Defendant proffers additional photographs and details regarding the Product's packaging and that of the comparator candies.2 (See Sandra Hanian Decl. in Supp. of Def. Mot. ("Hanian Decl.") ¶ 3, Docket Entry No. 22-2.) Defendant's photographs include a snapshot of the Product's nutritional label listing various facts such as the serving size (seven pieces) and number of servings (two). (Id. ¶ 3(b).) Defendant also states that the candy boxes "indicate that [the Product] is manufactured by Mondelez Global LLC" while Trolli® Sour Brite Crawlers minis and Dots® are manufactured by Ferrara Candy Company and Tootsi Roll Industries, LLC respectively.3 (Id. ¶ 4.) Plaintiff does not dispute the authenticity of the photographs and references in the Defendant's declaration and also relies extensively on the Product's packaging and that of the alleged comparators.

II. Discussion

a. Standards of review

i. Rule 12(b)(6)

In reviewing a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a court must construe the complaint liberally, "accepting all factual allegations in the complaint as true and drawing all reasonable inferences in the plaintiff's favor." Concord Assocs., L.P. v. Entm't Prop. Trust , 817 F.3d 46, 52 (2d Cir. 2016) (quoting Chambers v. Time Warner Inc. , 282 F.3d 147, 152 (2d Cir. 2002) ); see also Tsirelman v. Daines , 794 F.3d 310, 313 (2d Cir. 2015) (quoting Jaghory v. N.Y. State Dep't of Educ. , 131 F.3d 326, 329 (2d Cir. 1997) ). A complaint must plead "enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face." Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly , 550 U.S. 544, 570, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007). A claim is plausible "when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Matson v. Bd. of Educ. , 631 F.3d 57, 63 (2d Cir. 2011) (quoting Ashcroft v. Iqbal , 556 U.S. 662, 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009) ); see also Pension Ben. Guar. Corp. ex rel. St. Vincent Catholic Med. Ctrs. Ret. Plan v. Morgan Stanley Inv. Mgmt. Inc. , 712 F.3d 705, 717-18 (2d Cir. 2013). Although all allegations contained in the complaint are assumed true, this principle is "inapplicable to legal conclusions" or "[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of *183action, supported by mere conclusory statements." Iqbal , 556 U.S. at 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937.

ii. Rule 9(b)

" Rule 9(b) requires that '[i]n alleging fraud or mistake, a party must state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake.' " United States ex rel. Ladas v. Exelis, Inc. , 824 F.3d 16, 25 (2d Cir. 2016) (alteration in original) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b) ). "To satisfy this Rule, a complaint alleging fraud must '(1) specify the statements that the plaintiff contends were fraudulent, (2) identify the speaker, (3) state where and when the statements were made, and (4) explain why the statements were fraudulent.' " Id. (quoting Shields v. Citytrust Bancorp, Inc. , 25 F.3d 1124, 1128 (2d Cir. 1994) ). Ultimately, whether a complaint satisfies Rule 9(b)"depends 'upon the nature of the case, the complexity or simplicity of the transaction or occurrence, the relationship of the parties and the determination of how much circumstantial detail is necessary to give notice to the adverse party and enable him to prepare a responsive pleading.' " United States v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. , 972 F.Supp.2d 593, 616 (S.D.N.Y. 2013) (citation omitted); see United States ex rel. Wood v. Allergan, Inc. , 246 F.Supp.3d 772, 787 (S.D.N.Y. 2017) (quoting same); Kane ex rel, U.S. v. Healthfirst, Inc. , 120 F.Supp.3d 370, 383 (S.D.N.Y. 2015) (quoting same); U.S. ex rel. Bilotta v. Novartis Pharm. Corp. , 50 F.Supp.3d 497, 508 (S.D.N.Y. 2014) (quoting same);; see also Rombach v. Chang , 355 F.3d 164, 171 (2d Cir. 2004) (discussing the purpose of the particularity requirement and emphasizing fair notice to the defendant).

b. Consideration of documents other than the Complaint

When considering a motion to dismiss, courts generally are "limited to facts stated on the face of the complaint, in documents appended to the complaint or incorporated in the complaint by reference, and to matters of which judicial notice may be taken." Wilson v. Kellogg Co. , 628 Fed.Appx. 59, 60 (2d Cir. 2016) (citation omitted); see also Nicosia v. Amazon.com, Inc. , 834 F.3d 220, 230-31 (2d Cir. 2016) ("A complaint 'is deemed to include any written instrument attached to it as an exhibit or any statements or documents incorporated in it by reference.' " (citation omitted) ). Even "[w]here a document is not [expressly] incorporated by reference, the court may nevertheless consider it where the complaint relies heavily upon its terms and effect, thereby rendering the document integral to the complaint." Nicosia , 834 F.3d at 230-31. To take into account "materials extraneous to the complaint," a plaintiff must "rely on the terms and effect of the document in drafting the complaint; mere notice or possession is not enough.' " Id. (citation omitted). In addition, "[e]ven where a document is considered " 'integral' to the complaint," "it must be clear on the record that no dispute exists regarding the authenticity or accuracy of the document," and "[i]t must also be clear that there exist no material disputed issues of fact regarding the relevance of the document." Id. (citations omitted).

The Court's consideration of Defendant's submissions regarding the labeling of the box does not convert this motion to dismiss to a motion for summary judgment. Defendant's submissions relate only to the packaging of the Product-the very basis for Plaintiff's claims. See St. John's Univ., New York v. Bolton , 757 F.Supp.2d 144, 156 (E.D.N.Y. 2010) ("In deciding a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), the court may, at its discretion, consider matters of which judicial notice may be taken, as well as documents extrinsic to the complaint *184where a plaintiff 'relies heavily upon [the documents] terms and effect, [thus] render[ing] the document integral to the complaint.' " (citing Chambers v. Time Warner, Inc., 282 F.3d 147, 152-53 (2d Cir. 2002) ) ). "Where plaintiff has actual notice of all the information in the movant's papers and has relied upon these documents in framing the complaint the necessity of translating a Rule 12(b)(6) motion into one under Rule 56 is largely dissipated." Cortec Indus., Inc. v. Sum Holding L.P. , 949 F.2d 42, 48 (2d Cir. 1991).

c. Plaintiff does not have standing to pursue injunctive relief

Defendant argues that Plaintiff is not entitled to injunctive relief because she "fails to allege any intent to purchase [the Product] in the future," thereby failing to allege a likelihood of continuing or future injury. (Def. Mem. 25.) Rather than directly refuting Defendant's argument, Plaintiff advances two novel theories: (1) that she has "individual standing" and that Article III "must [be] adjusted" because there will never be a proper party otherwise under the circumstances; and (2) that she is "at risk of future harm regarding her non-pecuniary damages." (Pl. Opp'n to Def. Mot. ("Pl. Opp'n") 24, Docket Entry No. 23.)

A plaintiff seeking injunctive relief "must show the three familiar elements of standing: injury in fact, causation, and redressability." Cacchillo v. Insmed, Inc. , 638 F.3d 401, 404 (2d Cir. 2011) (citing Summers v. Earth Island Inst. , 555 U.S. 488, 493, 129 S.Ct. 1142, 173 L.Ed.2d 1 (2009) ). "[T]o meet the constitutional minimum of standing" for injunctive relief, a plaintiff "must carry the burden of establishing that 'he has sustained or is immediately in danger of sustaining some direct injury as the result of the challenged official conduct.' " Shain v. Ellison , 356 F.3d 211, 215 (2d Cir. 2004) (quoting City of Los Angeles v. Lyons , 461 U.S. 95, 101-02, 103 S.Ct. 1660, 75 L.Ed.2d 675 (1983) ); see also Nicosia , 834 F.3d at 239 ("Plaintiffs lack standing to pursue injunctive relief where they are unable to establish a 'real or immediate threat' of injury." (first citing Lyons , 461 U.S. at 111-12, 103 S.Ct. 1660 ; and then citing Shain , 356 F.3d at 215-16 ) ); Pungitore v. Barbera , 506 Fed.Appx. 40, 41 (2d Cir. 2012) ("[W]hen seeking prospective injunctive relief, the plaintiff must prove the likelihood of future or continuing harm."). The alleged injury "must be 'concrete and particularized' and 'actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical.' " Knife Rights, Inc. v. Vance , 802 F.3d 377, 383 (2d Cir. 2015) (quoting Susan B. Anthony List v. Driehaus , 573 U.S. ----, ----, 134 S.Ct. 2334, 2341, 189 L.Ed.2d 246 (2014) ); Am. Civil Liberties Union v. Clapper , 785 F.3d 787, 800 (2d Cir. 2015) ("The Supreme Court has 'repeatedly reiterated that "threatened injury must be certainly impending to constitute injury in fact," and that "[a]llegations of possible future injury" are not sufficient.' " (alteration in original) (quoting Clapper v. Amnesty Int'l USA , 568 U.S. 398, 133 S.Ct. 1138, 185 L.Ed.2d 264 (2013) ) ).

A plaintiff "cannot rely on past injury to satisfy the injury requirement but must show a likelihood that he ... will be injured in the future." Shain , 356 F.3d at 215 ; see also Nicosia , 834 F.3d at 239 (stating that past injuries do not confer standing to seek injunctive relief); Pungitore , 506 Fed.Appx. at 42 (stating that, while past wrongs may be "evidence bearing on whether there is a real and immediate threat of repeated injury,' such evidence 'does not in itself show a present case or controversy regarding injunctive relief ... if unaccompanied by any continuing, present adverse effects' " (quoting Lyons, 461 U.S. at 102, 103 S.Ct. 1660 ) ). "In establishing a certainly impending future injury, ... the plaintiff must establish *185how he or she will be injured prospectively and that the injury would be prevented by the equitable relief sought." Marcavage v. City of New York , 689 F.3d 98, 103 (2d Cir. 2012) (collecting cases). "[A]t the pleading stage, standing allegations need not be crafted with precise detail, nor must the plaintiff prove his allegations of injury." Baur v. Veneman , 352 F.3d 625, 631 (2d Cir. 2003) (citing Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife , 504 U.S. 555, 561, 112 S.Ct. 2130, 119 L.Ed.2d 351 (1992) ).

In light of these principles, Plaintiff's arguments are meritless. Essentially, Plaintiff's first argument is an attempt to artfully plead around the constitutional requirements for third-party standing, including as discussed in this Court's decision in Greene v. Gerber Products Co. , 262 F.Supp.3d 38, 55-56 (E.D.N.Y. 2017). As in Greene , Plaintiff seeks to assert standing on behalf of individuals who are not yet aware of the alleged misrepresentation. Greene , 262 F.Supp.3d at 56. The Court acknowledges the persuasive value of Plaintiff's argument that, without third-party standing, consumers could not enjoin false or deceptive advertising because "(1) if they were unaware of the falsity of the advertising and therefore at risk of future injury, they would not bring suit, and (2) once they become aware that a product is falsely or deceptively advertised, they cannot plausibly allege that they would re-purchase the product." Id. Nevertheless, as explained in Greene , third-party standing is generally limited to situations where "constitutional rights are at risk" and "the relationship between a class representative and would-be consumers 'is not the type of close relationship courts have recognized as creating a 'prudential exception' to the third-party standing rules.' "4 Id. ; see also Kommer v. Bayer Consumer Health, a division of Bayer AG , 710 Fed.Appx. 43, 44 (2d Cir. 2018) ("[A]ssuming his past purchases ... resulted in [an] injury ..., [plaintiff] has not shown that he is likely to be subjected to further [injurious] sales of that sort because he fail[s] to allege that he intends to [purchase the offending product] in the future ... Accordingly, he has no standing under Article III."); Albert v. Blue Diamond Growers , 151 F.Supp.3d 412, 418 (S.D.N.Y. 2015) ("Although Ackerman [v. Coca-Cola Co. , No. 09-CV-0395, 2010 WL 2925955, at *15 n.23 (E.D.N.Y. July 21, 2010) ] and other cases from the Eastern District of New York may suggest that future injury is not required in the consumer protection context, this Court declines to follow these cases because binding Supreme Court and Second Circuit precedent dictates otherwise.").

As to future "non-pecuniary damages," Plaintiff proffers two injuries recognized by district courts within the Ninth Circuit: that absent an injunction, a "plaintiff-consumer will 1) no longer be able to confidently rely on the defendant's representations, and 2) refrain from purchasing products in the future even if they in fact conform to her expectations." Duran v. Creek , No. 15-CV-05497, 2016 WL 1191685, at *7 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 28, 2016) (citations omitted); Ries v. Arizona Beverages USA LLC , 287 F.R.D. 523, 533 (N.D. Cal. 2012) ; but see Victor v. R.C. Bigelow, Inc. , 708 Fed.Appx. 333, 334 (9th Cir. 2017) (holding that plaintiffs lacked Article III standing where they "[would] not consider buying even properly labeled [product] until they receive an injunction"). However, Plaintiff fails to provide any binding or even persuasive authority from this Circuit or New York state courts. In addition, although non-pecuniary harm such as emotional distress is cognizable under section 349 of the GBL, the type of injury alleged by Plaintiff does not appear *186to rise to the level of harms already recognized. See, e.g., Bose v. Interclick, Inc. , No. 10-CV-9183, 2011 WL 4343517, at *9 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 17, 2011) (finding that "courts have recognized ... privacy violations" to be actionable injuries under section 349 ) (emphasis added); Wood v. Capital One Servs., LLC , 718 F.Supp.2d 286, 292 (N.D.N.Y. 2010) (finding pleading requirements for injury satisfied where plaintiff alleged he suffered from "humiliation, anger, anxiety, emotional distress, fear, frustration and embarrassment"); Midland Funding, LLC v. Giraldo , 39 Misc.3d 936, 961 N.Y.S.2d 743, 749 (Dist. Ct. 2013) (listing plaintiff's alleged non-pecuniary injuries including "[s]leep deprivation; anxiety; nervousness; fear; worry; fright; shock; strain to her marriage; humiliation and intimidation"). Plaintiff's annoyance at being unable to confidently purchase Defendant's Product does not rise to the type of non-pecuniary injury recognized under New York law.

d. New York statutory claims under GBL sections 349 and 350

GBL section 349 prohibits "[d]eceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any business, trade or commerce or in the furnishing of any service in this state." N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 349. GBL section 350 prohibits "[f]alse advertising in the conduct of any business, trade or commerce or in the furnishing of any service in this state." N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 350.

To assert a claim under either section, "a plaintiff must allege that a defendant has engaged in (1) consumer-oriented conduct that is (2) materially misleading and that (3) [the] plaintiff suffered injury as a result of the allegedly deceptive act or practice."5 Orlander v. Staples, Inc. , 802 F.3d 289, 300 (2d Cir. 2015) (citing Koch v. Acker, Merrall & Condit Co. , 18 N.Y.3d 940, 944 N.Y.S.2d 452, 967 N.E.2d 675 (2012) ); see Maurizio v. Goldsmith , 230 F.3d 518, 521 (2d Cir. 2000) (citing the elements for a prima facie case under section 349 ).

Claims under GBL sections 349 and 350 are not subject to the pleading-with-particularity requirements of Rule 9(b). Greene , 262 F.Supp.3d at 67 ; Schwartzco Enters. LLC v. TMH Mgmt., LLC , 60 F.Supp.3d 331, 359 (E.D.N.Y. 2014) (quoting Pelman ex rel. Pelman v. McDonald's Corp. , 396 F.3d 508, 511 (2d Cir. 2005) ); see also Leonard v. Abbott Labs., Inc. , No. 10-CV-4676, 2012 WL 764199, at *19 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 5, 2012) (considering case law and discerning a categorical rule that New York GBL section 349 claims, "regardless of whether they 'sound in fraud,' or are premised on specific misrepresentations rather than an 'advertising scheme,' are not subject to the heightened pleading requirement of Rule 9(b)"). With an exception not relevant here,6 "[t]he standard for recovery under ... [section] 350, while specific to false advertising, is otherwise identical to section 349." Goshen v. Mut. Life Ins. Co. of N.Y. , 98 N.Y.2d 314, 324 n.1, 746 N.Y.S.2d 858, 774 N.E.2d 1190 (2002).

i. Misleading slack-fill under the FDCA and parallel state statutes

Defendant first asserts that Plaintiff fails to sufficiently allege that the *187Product's slack-fill is misleading as defined by the FDCA and incorporated by the parallel New York state statutes.7 (Def. Mem. 9-14.); see also N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 201(4) (deeming food to be misbranded "[i]f its container is so made, formed, colored or filled as to be misleading"); 1 NYCRR § 259.1(a)(2) (adopting federal definitions and standards for food packaging and labeling).8

Under the FDCA, "[s]lack-fill is the difference between the actual capacity of a container and the volume of product contained therein." 21 C.F.R. § 100.100(a). Recognizing the inevitability and value of slack-fill in many products, the FDCA only considers "non-functional " slack-fill to be misleading when placed in a package where consumers are unable to fully view the contents.9 Id. According to the FDCA, expressly incorporated by reference in 1 NYCRR section 259.1, (see Compl. ¶ 26):

[n]onfunctional slack-fill is the empty space in a package that is filled to less than its capacity for reasons other than': (1) protection of contents; (2) the requirements of the machines used for enclosing the package; (3) unavoidable product settling; (4) the need for the package to perform a specific function; (5) the fact that the product consists of a food packaged in a reusable container where the container is part of the presentation and has value; or (6) inability to increase level of fill or to further reduce the size of the package.

Stephanie Escobar v. Just Born Inc. et al. , No. 17-CV-01826, 2017 WL 5125740, at *7 (C.D. Cal. June 12, 2017) (citing 21 C.F.R. § 100.100(a)(1)-(6) ). Because the FDCA and parallel state statutes only find non-functional slack-fill to be misleading, these six enumerated reasons essentially serve as exemptions or "safe harbors."

In the Complaint, Plaintiff conclusorily asserts that the Product contains "excess" slack-fill not "justified as functional based on the exemptions in [section] 100.100(a)." (Compl. ¶ 31.) In support of this assertion, Plaintiff relies on the "fact that other similarly sized candy boxes contain significantly less slack-fill." (Id. ¶ 32.) Thus, according to Plaintiff, the slack-fill may not be explained by the "need to protect package contents or accommodate machines and settling." (Id. )

Plaintiff's allegations as to the non-applicability of the "safe harbors" in *18821 C.F.R. section 100.100(a)(1)-(6) are quintessential examples of "bare assertions" insufficient to withstand a motion to dismiss following Iqbal and Twombly . While comparator products may provide evidence of non-functional slack-fill, Plaintiff fails to allege any facts to support its assertion that the candies and their packaging share any meaningful similarities to validate the comparisons. See Bautista , 223 F.Supp.3d 182, 190-91 (S.D.N.Y. 2016) (granting motion to dismiss where plaintiff only provided "wholly conclusory allegations" while noting the potential value of expert testimony and comparisons to similar products). Instead, Plaintiff simply alleges that "[t]he comparison is between the same kind of product in the same kind of packaging that is enclosed in the same way by the same kind of technology." (Compl. ¶ 32 (emphasis added).) Repeatedly asserting that the candies are the "same" does not make them so. Plaintiff must avoid a common pitfall-telling , rather than showing -and explain to the Court why the candies and their packaging are the same or sufficiently similar. Otherwise, Plaintiff effectively asks the Court to conclude that all "gummy" candy packaged in relatively similar sized boxes are the same in all material respects.10 Even a cursory inspection of the candy boxes, however, reveals that the candies may not have been enclosed in the same or similar manner. (See Hanian Decl. ¶ 3(b), (g) (indicating that the Product and Dots® are manufactured by different companies); see also id. ¶ 4 (noting that the boxes list different companies from one another).)11 Without more, Plaintiff's allegations regarding the exemptions only serve to state the conclusion-that none of the exemptions apply. Bush v. Mondelez Int'l, Inc. , No. 16-CV-02460, 2016 WL 5886886, at *4 (N.D. Cal. Oct. 7, 2016) (finding plaintiff's conclusory assertions effectively amounted to stating "none of th[o]se circumstances apply here").

In her Opposition brief and accompanying declaration, Plaintiff provides allegations plausibly suggesting the existence of non-functional slack-fill in the Product. Plaintiff proffers a comparison between the Product and Assorted Swedish Fish Box ("Assorted Box"), presumably a later variation of the Product. (See Pl. Opp'n 5-6.) While packaged in boxes "identical in size," the Product and the Assorted Box contain candy pieces that are the same size, with the latter "even includ[ing] red Swedish Fish that are identical" to those *189found in the Product. (Id. ) "The only physical difference between the [Product and the Assorted Box], other than color, is that the [Assorted Box] contains 3.5 oz. (17 to 18 pieces), whereas the Product contains 3.1 oz. (14 pieces)." (Id. ) Plaintiff persuasively argues that because the only difference between the Product and the Assorted Box is in the color and number of candies enclosed, the Product must have some non-functional slack-fill. (Id. at 6.); see also White v. Just Born, Inc. , No. 17-CV-04025, 2017 WL 3130333, at *8 (W.D. Mo. July 21, 2017) (finding significant the fact that the defendant had "packaged and sold the same size boxes of [the candies at issue], for promotional purposes, with less slack-fill"). However, none of these allegations are in the Complaint. See Fadem v. Ford Motor Co. , 352 F.Supp.2d 501, 516 (S.D.N.Y. 2005) ("It is long-standing precedent in this circuit that parties cannot amend their pleadings through issues raised solely in their briefs."), aff'd, 157 Fed.Appx. 398 (2d Cir. 2005). Further, even if these facts were properly alleged in the Complaint, the claims pursuant to GBL sections 349 and 350 nevertheless fail because, as discussed below, Plaintiff fails to plead a material misrepresentation.12

ii. Material misrepresentation under GBL sections 349 and 350

Under New York law, a material misrepresentation is one that is "likely to mislead a reasonable consumer acting reasonably under the circumstances ." Orlander , 802 F.3d at 300 (citation omitted and emphasis added); Belfiore v. Procter & Gamble Co. , 311 F.R.D. 29, 53 (E.D.N.Y. 2015) ("Courts view each allegedly misleading statement in light of its context on the product label or advertisement as a whole. The entire mosaic is viewed rather than each tile separately." (internal quotation marks omitted) (first citing Delgado v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC , No. 13-CV-4427, 2014 WL 4773991, at *8 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 24, 2014) ; and then citing Time Warner Cable, Inc. v. DIRECTV, Inc. , No. 06-CV-14245, 2007 WL 1138879, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 16, 2007) ) ); Koenig v. Boulder Brands, Inc. , 995 F.Supp.2d 274, 288 (S.D.N.Y. 2014) ("[I]n resolving the reasonable consumer inquiry, one must consider the entire context of the label." (alteration in original) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted) ); Ackerman , 2010 WL 2925955, at *15 (conducting the reasonable consumer analysis by "[v]iewing each allegedly misleading statement in light of its context on the label and in connection with the marketing of [the product] as a whole"). Therefore, sections 349 and 350 require more than a determination as to whether the slack-fill, standing alone, constitutes a misrepresentation. Rather, sections 349 and 350 require an additional finding that a reasonable consumer *190in like circumstances would consider the misrepresentation material . See, e.g. , Kommer v. Bayer Consumer Health , 252 F.Supp.3d 304, 312 (S.D.N.Y. 2017) (dismissing claims where a "disclaimer [was] printed in reasonably-sized font right at the top of the Instructions" that were allegedly deceptive), aff'd sub nom . Kommer v. Bayer Consumer Health, a division of Bayer AG , 710 Fed.Appx. 43, 44 (2d Cir. 2018) ; Druyan v. Jagger , 508 F.Supp.2d 228, 244 (S.D.N.Y. 2007) (dismissing false advertising claim where a reasonable consumer could not have been misled by internet advertisements and daily email alerts that a concert was to take place as scheduled "[g]iven the multiple warnings ... that the ... "DATE & TIME [WERE] SUBJECT TO CHANGE").

Plaintiff's statutory claims fail because non-functional slack-fill as defined by the FDCA and parallel state statutes, even assuming its existence, are not per se material misrepresentations under sections 349 and 350. See N. Am. Olive Oil Ass'n v. Kangadis Food Inc. , 962 F.Supp.2d 514, 519 (S.D.N.Y. 2013) (distinguishing between violations of FDA and New York state labeling standards and actionable claims under GBL sections 349 and 350 ); Porrazzo v. Bumble Bee Foods, LLC , 822 F.Supp.2d 406, 425 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) (analyzing alleged violations of New York Agriculture and Markets Law and GBL section 349 as separate claims); Gentile v. Stay Slim, Inc. , 11 Misc.3d 1088(A), 819 N.Y.S.2d 848, 2006 WL 1140459, at *1 (Sup. Ct. 2006) (noting that the complaint asserted four separate causes of action pursuant to " GBL [section] 349, ... GBL [section] 350, ... [section] 201 of the New York [Agriculture and Markets] Law, and ... [claim] for unjust enrichment); see also Bush v. Mondelez Int'l, Inc. , No. 16-CV-02460, 2016 WL 7324990, at *3 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 16, 2016) (explaining that "Courts, not the FDA, determine whether a product is misleading under [state consumer protection] laws"). While the FDCA and parallel state statutes define a "misrepresentation" for purposes of those statutes, New York courts, as described above, have adopted an objective definition of what constitutes a "material misrepresentation" under sections 349 and 350-a definition that takes context into account.

Several courts, including a district court within the Second Circuit, have held that reasonable consumers would not be misled by non-functional slack-fill as a matter of law where the products clearly disclosed accurate net weight and/or the total product count. See Fermin v. Pfizer Inc. , 215 F.Supp.3d 209, 212 (E.D.N.Y. 2016) ; see also Ebner v. Fresh, Inc. , 838 F.3d 958, 965 (9th Cir. 2016) ; Bush , 2016 WL 5886886, at *3. Others suggest that a reasonable consumer would take into consideration additional factors aside from package size. See Mennen Co. v. Gillette Co. , 565 F.Supp. 648, 655 (S.D.N.Y. 1983) (finding survey evidence unreliable where consumers "were not allowed to pick up or open the containers or to draw them close enough for reading purposes, although they would clearly be able to do this when examining merchandise shelved in stores"), aff'd sub nom. Mennen v. Gillette , 742 F.2d 1437 (2d Cir. 1984) ); United States v. 174 Cases, More or Less, Delson Thin Mints Chocolate Covered , 195 F.Supp. 326, 328 (D.N.J. 1961) (finding for defendant while noting in part that that "[t]he Correct net weight of the candy is disclosed on the wrapper of the accused package), aff'd , 302 F.2d 724 (3d Cir. 1962). This latter approach is consistent with the Second Circuit's emphasis on context "in determining whether a reasonable consumer would have been misled by a particular advertisement." Fink v. Time Warner Cable , 714 F.3d 739, 742 (2d Cir. 2013) (affirming judgment of district court dismissing complaint alleging violation of various state consumer protection statutes including *191GBL section 349 ). Moreover, because consumers have come to expect at least some slack-fill, context, including labels, are likely important considerations in assessing product amount or quantity. (See Compl. ¶ 36 ("consumers may have come to expect significant slack-fill in boxed candy products") ); Bush , 2016 WL 5886886, at *3 (" 'Targeted consumers' thus expect some slack-fill."); United States v. 116 Boxes, etc., Arden Assorted Candy Drops , 80 F.Supp. 911, 913 (D. Mass. 1948) ("Moreover, from buying various types of five-cent candies, cough drops, and lozenges packed by machine in standard rectangular containers, [an ordinary person] has come to expect some slack or air space.").

Throughout the Complaint, Plaintiff equates a violation of the FDCA and parallel New York state statutes as violations of sections 349 and 350. (See, e.g. , Compl. ¶ 69 ("The practices employed by Defendant, whereby Defendant advertised, promoted, marketed and sold its Products in packages containing non-functional slack-fill are unfair, deceptive and misleading and are in violation of the NY GBL [section] 349, New York [Agriculture and Markets] Law [section] 201 and the FDCA ( 21 U.S.C. [section] 343(d) ) in that said Products are misbranded."); id. ¶ 76 ("Pursuant to the FDCA as implemented through 21 C.F.R. [section] 100.100, package size is an affirmative representation of quantity. Thus, the non-functional slack-fill in Defendant's Product constituted false advertising as to the quantity of candy contained therein."); see also Pl. Opp'n 2 ("[T]he FDA-defined reasonable consumer test is identical to, and applied by, New York consumer protection laws.").) Plaintiff's reasoning thus assumes that a reasonable consumer would only consider the size of the product in making purchasing decisions based on perceived amount or quantity of food.

Plaintiff relies principally on FDA commentary regarding 21 C.F.R. section 100.100 to argue that "false representation of quantity, created by the size of the Product packages, cannot be cured by a written weight or count representation."13 (Pl. Opp'n 12-13.) The FDA has opined that "[t]o rule that an accurate net weight statement protects against misleading fill would render the prohibition against misleading fill in section 403(d) of the act redundant." Misleading Containers; Nonfunctional Slack-Fill, 58 Fed. Reg. 64123-01, 64129 (Dec. 6, 1993) (codified at 21 C.F.R. pt. 100). The FDA has also explained that Congress "intended [403(d) ] to reach deceptive methods of filling where the package is only partly filled and, despite the declaration of quantity of contents on the label, creates the impression that it contains more food than it does." Id. Finding the FDA commentary persuasive, the district court in *192Izquierdo v. Mondelez International Inc. , No. 16-CV-04697, 2016 WL 6459832, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 26, 2016), "decline[d] to adopt [defendant's] theory that a manufacturer of a deceptively packaged product is immune from suit so long as the package accurately lists the product's net weight and quantity."

To the extent Izquierdo stands for the proposition that accurate disclosure of net weight and quantity can never cure misrepresentations arising from non-functional slack-fill under New York consumer protection laws as a matter of law, the Court disagrees with such a ruling. While non-functional slack-fill violates the FDCA and parallel state statutes, as discussed above, New York courts further require that the misrepresentation be material to be actionable under sections 349 and 350. Viewed in context , the alleged misrepresentation must be likely to mislead a reasonable consumer acting reasonably. See also Kommer , 252 F.Supp.3d at 312 ("Assuming that a reasonable consumer might ignore the evidence plainly before him 'attributes to consumers a level of stupidity that the [c]ourt cannot countenance and that is not actionable under G.B.L. [section] 349.' " (citation omitted) ). As other courts have recognized, a reasonable consumer takes into consideration factors aside from package size in assessing the amount or quantity of a product. See Fermin , 215 F.Supp.3d at 212 (finding reasonable consumers take into account the written labels of the product); Mennen , 565 F.Supp. at 655 (same); see also Ebner , 838 F.3d at 965 (same); Bush , 2016 WL 5886886, at *3 (same).

Finally, even Plaintiff concedes that package size is but a factor in a consumer's assessment of product amount or quantity. In the Complaint, Plaintiff, for example, alleges that consumers "reasonably relied in substantial part on [the Product size's] implicit representations of quantity and volume." (See, e.g. , Compl. ¶ 10 (emphasis added).) Separately, Plaintiff also alleges that "[t]he labeling , packaging, and advertising for the Product, relied upon by Plaintiff ... reasonably misled the reasonable consumer." (Id. ¶ 22 (emphasis added).) Perhaps recognizing that her submissions undermine her argument, Plaintiff in her Opposition brief and accompanying declaration alleges for the first time that the picture of the candy on the front of the Product is misleading. (See Pl. Opp'n 14 ("[T]he Product labels convey an affirmatively false depiction of the size of the individual candies within.").)

Thus, absent exceptional circumstances, a reasonable consumer acting reasonably would find accurate, clearly visible representations of net weight, serving size, and number of servings to offset any misrepresentations arising from non-functional slack-fill.14 Here, Plaintiff fails to allege in the Complaint any reason why a reasonable consumer would not have considered the disclosures on the Product. Nor did *193Plaintiff challenge the disclosure's accuracy or visibility.15

Likely recognizing the deficiency of her claims, Plaintiff asserts for the first time in her Opposition brief that the enlarged picture of the candy on the front of the box voided any corrective disclosure, but nevertheless concedes that the word "enlarged" appears next to the picture. (C.K. Lee Decl. in Supp. of Pl. Opp'n ("Lee Decl.") ¶ 5, Docket Entry No. 25.) Rather than dispute the word's visibility, Plaintiff challenges the meaning a reasonable consumer would attach to the term "enlarged." In doing so, Plaintiff makes a specious claim that it is unclear whether the word is in "refer[ence] to the candies within or just the image." (Id. ) A reasonable consumer does not lack common sense. See Weinstein v. eBay, Inc. , 819 F.Supp.2d 219, 228 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) ("[T]he applicable legal standard is whether a reasonable consumer, not the least sophisticated consumer , would be misled by Defendants' actions." (emphasis added) ); 116 Boxes , 80 F.Supp. at 913 ("Infantile anticipation is not the test."). Moreover, the back and sides of the box include pictures of the candy that are clearly smaller than in reality. (See Hanian Decl. ¶ 3(b) & (d).) Plaintiff fails to explain why a reasonable consumer would not take the shrunken pictures into account. Furthermore, as Plaintiff acknowledges, consumers care about the density or volume of a product only as it relates to the amount or quantity of food. (See Compl. ¶ 42. ("[Plaintiffs and class members] receiv[ed] less candy than was promised to them through the size of the Product packaging." (emphasis added) ); see also Waldman v. New Chapter, Inc. , 714 F.Supp.2d 398, 402-03 (E.D.N.Y. 2010) ("[A]t most, the [c]omplaint alleges that [defendant's] packaging implicitly misrepresents the product's volume and density. After all, if [the product] was less dense, then 180 grams of product might, in fact, fill the unnecessarily large jar it came in.").)16 Where consumers only care about *194the amount or quantity of food, the actual size of the candies is immaterial when the Product affirmatively discloses how much food the box contains. Consumers receive the same amount or quantity of food, as provided on the label, regardless of the density of the candy and whether the container is larger than necessary. See Wurtzburger v. Kentucky Fried Chicken , No. 16-CV-08186, 2017 WL 6416296, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 13, 2017) ("[T]he use of a larger than necessary [container]-is not materially deceptive or misleading ... Nor is it misleading, as defined by [ section 349 ], that [d]efendant could have or should have used a smaller [container] for the amount of food packaged or provided."); see also Waldman , 714 F.Supp.2d at 403 (dismissing fraud claim for lack of materiality because plaintiff failed to plead facts that she or other class members "cared about [the product's] density" in and of itself or that the "higher density deluded her, or other class members, into thinking that [the product] box contained more than the [thirty] servings it expressly listed"); Bautista , 223 F.Supp.3d at 192 n.8 (citing Waldman , 714 F.Supp.2d at 403, for the same proposition). Moreover, a reasonable consumer is even more likely to rely on the label where, as here, there is a discrepancy as to the size of the individual pieces of product. In short, Plaintiff has failed to sufficiently plead a material misrepresentation.17 *195iii. Injury

Plaintiff alleges that she and the putative class "were injured as the result of Defendant's deceptive conduct because they paid money for less Product than" represented by the size of the Product's package. (Compl. ¶ 42.) According to Plaintiff, the alleged injury "can be characterized as either deprival of the benefit of her bargain or payment of a price premium." (Pl. Opp'n 20.) Plaintiff allegedly was deprived of her bargain because she "received less candy" than the size of the Product's package represented, "consequently, ... pa[ying] a higher price per unit of candy than [she] had bargained for." (Id. at 21.) In addition, Plaintiff argues that the amount of money paid constitutes a price premium because she "paid money for less Product than Defendant represented" and "would not have agreed to this exchange had [she] known the truth." (Id. )

"An actual injury claim under [s]ection[s] 349 [and 350] typically requires a plaintiff to 'allege that, on account of a materially misleading practice, she purchased a product and did not receive the full value of her purchase.' " Izquierdo , 2016 WL 6459832, at *7 (quoting Orlander , 802 F.3d at 302 ); Orlander , 802 F.3d at 302 (finding actual injury under both sections 349 and 350 where plaintiff "purchased a product and did not receive the full value of her purchase"). This prong may be satisfied through an allegation that a plaintiff overpaid for the product, or, stated differently, "by a claim that a plaintiff paid a premium for a product based on [the] defendants' inaccurate representations." Ackerman , 2010 WL 2925955, at *23 ; see also Orlander , 802 F.3d at 302 (explaining that in some cases the price premium theory "show[s] that [the] plaintiff paid more than they would have for the good but for the deceptive practices of the defendant-sellers").

1. Plaintiff's injuries are based on the payment of a price premium

While Plaintiff attempts to differentiate her injury claims as two distinct theories, in reality, both claim injury based on the payment of a price premium. See Ackerman , 2010 WL 2925955, at *23. Plaintiff is not asserting injury because she received less candy in and of itself. Rather, Plaintiff is asserting injury because the alleged lesser amount of food caused her to pay a "higher price per unit of candy." (Pl. Opp'n 21 (emphasis added).) Although Lazaroff v. Paraco Gas Corp. , 38 Misc.3d 1217(A), 967 N.Y.S.2d 867, 2011 WL 9962089 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Kings Cty., Feb. 25, 2011), relied upon by Plaintiff for her "benefit of the bargain" argument, does not expressly use the term "price premium," the Second Circuit and this Court, among others, have recognized the case as an exemplar of price premium injury. See Orlander , 802 F.3d at 302 ; Greene , 262 F.Supp.3d at 68 ; Braynina v. TJX Companies, Inc. , No. 15-CV-5897, 2016 WL 5374134, at *10 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 26, 2016).

In most price premium cases, the alleged misrepresentation conveys to consumers that the product at issue contains a unique, desirable quality. See Irvine v. Kate Spade & Co. , No. 16-CV-7300, 2017 WL 4326538, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 28, 2017) (collecting cases); Greene , 262 F.Supp.3d at 68 (finding a sufficiently pled section 349 injury where plaintiff alleged that she would not have paid the price charged if not for the purported allergy benefits in the Infant Formula); Koenig , 995 F.Supp.2d at 288-89 (finding a sufficiently-pled section 349 injury where the plaintiff alleged that he would not have paid the price charged for "fat-free" milk had he known it contained fat);

*196Ebin v. Kangadis Food Inc. , No. 13-CV-2311, 2013 WL 6504547, at *4-5 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 11, 2013) (finding a sufficient-pled section 349 injury where the plaintiffs alleged they would not have paid the price charged if they had known that the product did not contain "100% Pure Olive Oil"); see also Small, 94 N.Y.2d at 56 n.5, 698 N.Y.S.2d 615, 720 N.E.2d 892 ("[P]laintiff might have a claim where a distributor asserts that its bottled water is from a pure and pristine mountain stream while in reality, it was only tap water."). In most cases, "price premium" should thus be observable through an increased price in comparison to products without the desirable quality. See Belcastro v. Burberry Ltd. , No. 16-CV-1080, 2017 WL 744596, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 23, 2017) (" Small requires some connection between the deception and the price actually paid by the plaintiff or the intrinsic value of the good." (emphasis added) ); Ebin , 2013 WL 6504547, at *4 (finding injury properly pled where the complaint included "a chart comparing the price paid by [the] plaintiff [ ] to the lower price available from a competing brand"). Slack-fill cases, however, involve a categorically different type of misrepresentation-lesser amount or quantity than represented. Even while holding prices steady, manufacturers can effectively "inflate" the price by providing less product.

This interpretation is consistent with Lazaroff which the Second Circuit endorsed as a case illustrative of price premium injury. See Orlander , 802 F.3d at 302. In Lazaroff , the plaintiff alleged that he would not have paid the price charged for a twenty-pound propane cylinder had he known it only contained fifteen pounds of propane. Lazaroff , 2011 WL 9962089, at *6. Finding a cognizable injury for GBL section 349, the court explained that:

[p]laintiff [had] allege[d] that, had he understood the true amount of the product, he would not have purchased it, and that he and the purported members of the class paid a higher price per gallon/pound of propane and failed to receive what was promised and/or the benefit of his bargain, i.e., a full 20 pound cylinder and the amount of propane he was promised.

Id. As the court explained, the only discrepancy was in the amount or quantity of the product. Id. Although the price of the product did not change, the alleged lesser amount or quantity was sufficient evidence of price premium.18 Id. ; Orlander , 802 F.3d at 302.

2. Defendant erroneously argues that Plaintiff has failed to allege price premium injury

Relying principally on Izquierdo , Defendant argues that Plaintiff fails to "provide any factual basis to establish that she paid a higher price for the Product than she otherwise would have." (Def. Mem. 22.)

*197The Izquierdo court, citing Small v. Lorillard Tobacco Co. , 94 N.Y.2d 43, 698 N.Y.S.2d 615, 720 N.E.2d 892, 898 (1999), explained that New York law did not recognize a "deception as injury theory-... that consumers who buy a product that they would not have purchased, absent a manufacturer's deceptive commercial practices have suffered an injury under [ section] 349." 2016 WL 6459832, at *7. Therefore, the Izquierdo court essentially required the plaintiff to demonstrate that "the cost of the Candy was inflated by [the defendant's] allegedly misleading packaging." Id. However, to the extent Izquierdo stands for the proposition that reduced amount or quantity cannot be indicative of an "inflated" cost or price, this Court disagrees with such a ruling.

Noticeably, Defendant does not challenge the reasoning in Lazaroff -that less product than promised constitutes an injury-but instead attempts to distinguish the circumstances here from those present in that case. (See Def. Mem. 23; Def. Reply in Supp. of Def. Mot. ("Def. Reply") 8, Docket Entry No. 24.) Defendant argues that Lazaroff is inapposite because it involved a dispute over the visibility of the label which was allegedly obscured by a metal cage. In contrast, the parties in this action do not dispute that the Product's net weight was clearly visible. As discussed earlier, the accuracy and visibility of the labels are relevant to whether an action is materially misleading. See Lazaroff, 2011 WL 9962089, at *4-5. Defendant's argument thus conflates elements two (material misrepresentation) and three (injury) for claims under sections 349 and 350. While the "exact nature of the 'materially misleading' practices alleged ... necessarily influences the injury analysis," Defendant does not provide any support that courts cannot find injury in the absence of an adequately pled material misrepresentation. Orlander , 802 F.3d at 300. Indeed, in Orlander , the Second Circuit recognized that in Stutman v. Chemical Bank, 95 N.Y.2d 24, 30-31, 709 N.Y.S.2d 892, 731 N.E.2d 608 (2000), the "New York Court of Appeals rejected the plaintiff's claim not because the plaintiff failed to state an injury under ... [s]ection 349, but because he failed to allege a deceptive practice." Id. In fact, "the [ Stutman ] court explained that the allegation that a deceptive practice caused plaintiff to pay a $275 fee sufficiently pled an actual injury under [s]ection 349." Id. ; see also Stutman , 95 N.Y.2d at 31, 709 N.Y.S.2d 892, 731 N.E.2d 608 ("Nevertheless, we uphold the Appellate Division's dismissal of plaintiffs' claim, for a different reason: plaintiffs have failed to show that defendant committed a deceptive act.").

However, because sections 349 and 350 require the satisfaction of each element, the Court does not find it necessary to resolve the question of whether an injury requires an adequately pled material representation given Plaintiff's failure to adequately plead a material misrepresentation. See Kearney v. Cavalry Portfolio Servs., LLC , No. 12-CV-00860, 2014 WL 3778746, at *10 (E.D.N.Y. July 31, 2014) ("The section 349 inquiry is conjunctive; therefore, the Court need not address the first and third factors."); Fleisher v. Phoenix Life Ins. Co. , 858 F.Supp.2d 290, 304 (S.D.N.Y. 2012) ("However, [ section] 349's requirements are conjunctive ... Because, as discussed below, I dismiss Count Three on the injury ground, I need not reach the consumer-orientation arguments.).

Assuming, however, that the injury element does not require an adequately pled material misrepresentation, the Court finds that Plaintiff has sufficiently pled injury. As in Lazaroff , Plaintiff has alleged that she received less candy than promised, consequently paying a higher price per candy, and had she understood the true amount, she would not have purchased *198the Product.19 See Lazaroff , 2011 WL 9962089 at *6 ("Plaintiff alleges that, had he understood the true amount of the product, he would not have purchased it, and that he and the purported members of the class paid a higher price per gallon/pound of propane .... Thus, plaintiff has properly alleged injury." (internal citation omitted) ).

Nevertheless, because the Complaint fails to plead any conduct that is materially misleading, the Court dismisses Plaintiff's section 349 and 350 claims.

e. Common law fraud

Plaintiff argues that, through the Product's non-functional slack-fill, Defendant has made an implied misrepresentation as to the amount of product in the container. (Compl. ¶ 82.) Defendant does not directly address Plaintiff's common law fraud claim. Instead, Defendant appears to imply that the arguments against materiality and preemption apply with equal force to both Plaintiff's statutory and common law claims. As discussed below, like the statutory claims, Plaintiff fails to plead facts rendering plausible the conclusion that the slack fill in Defendant's Product is nonfunctional within the meaning of the FDCA and parallel state statutes. Bautista , 223 F.Supp.3d at 192. Even if this defect can be cured by a comparison between the Product and the Assorted Box, as asserted in Plaintiff's Opposition submission, the fraud claim fails because Plaintiff cannot establish reasonable or justifiable reliance.

"To state a claim for fraud under New York law, a plaintiff must allege (1) a material misrepresentation or omission of fact; (2) which the defendant knew to be false; (3) which the defendant made with the intent to defraud; (4) upon which the plaintiff reasonably relied; and (5) which caused injury to the plaintiff." Fin. Guar. Ins. Co. v. Putnam Advisory Co., LLC , 783 F.3d 395, 402 (2d Cir. 2015) ; see Crigger v. Fahnestock & Co. , 443 F.3d 230, 234 (2d Cir. 2006) (stating the elements of fraud under New York law). Pleadings for *199common law claims premised on fraud are "subject to the particularity pleading requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b)." Putnam AdvisoryCo , 783 F.3d at 402-03 (internal quotation marks omitted) (citing Eternity Global Master Fund Ltd. v. Morgan Guar. Trust Co. of N.Y. , 375 F.3d 168, 187 (2d Cir. 2004) ).

"In New York, it is well settled that a plaintiff cannot establish justifiable reliance when, 'by the exercise of ordinary intelligence it could have learned of the information it asserts was withheld.' " Transnational Mgmt. Sys. II, LLC v. Carcione , No. 14-CV-2151, 2016 WL 7077040, at *8 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 5, 2016), appeal dismissed sub nom. Transnational Management Sys. II, LLC v. Carcione , No. 16-CV-4294 (2d Cir. Dec. 29, 2016) (citation omitted); see also Paraco Gas Corp. v. Travelers Cas. & Sur. Co. of Am. , 51 F.Supp.3d 379, 393 (S.D.N.Y. 2014) ("Under New York law, a 'party cannot claim reliance on a misrepresentation when he or she could have discovered the truth with due diligence.' "); Schumaker v. Mather , 133 N.Y. 590, 596, 30 N.E. 755 (1892) ("[T]he general rule is that if the facts represented are not matters peculiarly within the party's knowledge, and the other party has the means available to him of knowing, by the exercise of ordinary intelligence, the truth or the real quality of the subject of the representation, he must make use of those means, or he will not be heard to complain that he was induced to enter into the transaction by misrepresentations."). " 'Only when matters are held to be peculiarly within defendant's knowledge is it said that plaintiff may rely without prosecuting an investigation,' because the plaintiff would have 'no independent means of ascertaining the truth.' " Transnational Mgmt. Sys. II , 2016 WL 7077040, at *8 (citation omitted).

For essentially the same reasons discussed regarding the material representation prong for the statutory claims, Plaintiff fails to plead reasonable reliance.20 Plaintiff does not dispute that the Product provided clearly visible and accurate written labels as to net weight and quantity of candies. In view of this accurate disclosure, a person of "ordinary intelligence" could have learned of the extent of slack-fill and the amount of food by looking to the labels (and also by manipulation of the package).21 Since a simple "investigation" would have dispelled any misrepresentation as to the amount of food arising from the size of the box, Plaintiff's *200common law fraud claim is foreclosed as a matter of law. See Transnational Mgmt. Sys. II , 2016 WL 7077040, at *9 (dismissing fraud claim where relevant facts were not "peculiarly within" defendants' knowledge and plaintiff failed to investigate); Paraco Gas Corp. , 51 F.Supp.3d at 397 (same).

f. Leave to amend

Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provide that courts "should freely give leave" to amend a complaint "when justice so requires." Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2). The Second Circuit has stated that "[t]his permissive standard is consistent with our strong preference for resolving disputes on the merits." Williams v. Citigroup Inc. , 659 F.3d 208, 212-13 (2d Cir. 2011) (citation omitted). Leave to amend should be given "absent evidence of undue delay, bad faith or dilatory motive on the part of the movant, undue prejudice to the opposing party, or futility." Monahan v. N.Y.C. Dep't of Corr. , 214 F.3d 275, 283 (2d Cir. 2000) ; see also Couloute v. Ryncarz , No. 11-CV-5986, 2012 WL 541089, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 17, 2012) (quoting Monahan , 214 F.3d at 283 ). However, motions to amend "should generally be denied in instances of futility, undue delay, bad faith or dilatory motive, repeated failure to cure deficiencies by amendments previously allowed, or undue prejudice to the non-moving party." Burch v. Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc. , 551 F.3d 122, 126 (2d Cir. 2008) ; Monahan , 214 F.3d at 283.

The Court grants Plaintiff leave to amend her statutory claims to cure, if able, the deficient pleading discussed in this Memorandum and Order. However, the Court finds that amendments to the common law claim would be futile.

III. Conclusion

For the foregoing reasons, the Court grants Defendant's motion to dismiss and grants Plaintiff thirty (30) days to file amended statutory claims.

SO ORDERED.