SweetLeaf Monk Fruit "Organic" Sweetener Is Allegedly 99% Erythritol, Class Action Claims

SweetLeaf's popular Monk Fruit Organic Sweetener is allegedly almost entirely erythritol — not monk fruit.

A class action lawsuit filed against Wisdom Natural Brands claims its SweetLeaf Monk Fruit Organic Sweetener contains just 0.87% monk fruit extract. The rest? According to the complaint, the product is 99.13% erythritol, a chemically processed sugar alcohol.

The lawsuit was filed by plaintiff John Boyd in California federal court. Boyd alleges that Wisdom Natural Brands markets the product with claims like "Sweetened by Nature" and "Nothing Artificial" on the front label, leading consumers to believe monk fruit is the primary ingredient. In reality, the lawsuit claims, erythritol is listed first on the back label — meaning it's the most prominent ingredient by weight.

What is erythritol?

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol commonly used as a bulk filler in low-calorie and keto-friendly sweeteners. While it occurs naturally in small amounts in some fruits, commercially produced erythritol is made through industrial fermentation — typically from corn.

The lawsuit points to recent research linking erythritol to potential cardiovascular risks. A 2023 study published in Nature Medicine by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that people with higher blood levels of erythritol had an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. The researchers also found that consuming erythritol made platelets more likely to clot.

The lawsuit alleges this matters because the very consumers who reach for sugar-free sweeteners — people managing diabetes, obesity, or metabolic conditions — are already at higher risk for cardiovascular events.

What does the lawsuit allege?

Boyd claims that independent lab testing commissioned by his attorneys found SweetLeaf Monk Fruit Organic Sweetener is 99.13% erythritol and only 0.87% monk fruit extract. According to the complaint, this means consumers are paying a premium for what they believe is a natural monk fruit product, when the product is allegedly almost entirely a processed sugar alcohol.

The class action alleges breach of express and implied warranties, negligent and intentional misrepresentation, fraud, unjust enrichment, and violations of California's consumer protection laws.

Who is eligible?

Boyd is seeking to represent a nationwide class and a California subclass of consumers who purchased SweetLeaf Monk Fruit Organic Sweetener for personal and household use within the applicable statute of limitations.

Is there a settlement?

There is no settlement yet. The case was filed in December 2025 and is still in its early stages.

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