Watkins sues McCormick over selling pepper tins with less content

Watkins claimed in its lawsuit that McCormick's action violated both federal and state laws regarding deceptive trade practices, misleading both consumers and food retailers.

According to the company, since early 2015, McCormick had knowingly and intentionally began selling its traditional tins with 25% less ground black pepper.

In the lawsuit Watkins stated: "McCormick intentionally maintained the price of its standard tins, notwithstanding the significant reduction in the amount of ground black pepper contained in the traditional tin, which had the effect of further adding to the perception that nothing had changed."