RCBA Nutraceuticals, LLC vs. Western Packaging, Inc., et al

Case Background

On March 12, 2019, Plaintiff RCBA Nutraceuticals filed a lawsuit in the Florida State, Circuit Court of Seminole County (Case number: 2019CA000787) alleging defective packaging and negligence. Judge Susan Stacy presided over this case

Cause

RCBA Nutraceuticals, LLC, a Florida-based nutritional supplement business, relied on zipper pouch bags to package products such as King Mass XL, Gainer XS, Whey XS, and King Carb XS. These packaging solutions were purchased from Western Packaging, Inc., a Texas corporation, and manufactured by ProAmpac LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Both companies conduct business in Florida. The zipper pouch bags were marketed and sold as suitable for nutritional supplements, but the bags were defective, which directly impacted RCBA’s operations.

Injuries

RCBA experienced significant operational harm due to the defective packaging. The zipper pouch bags were unsuitable for their intended purpose, disrupting RCBA’s ability to effectively package, store, and sell their nutritional supplements. As a result, the company faced reputational damage, financial losses, and additional costs to rectify the packaging issues.

Damages

As a direct consequence of the defective zipper pouch bags, RCBA suffered damages exceeding $15,000. These included lost revenue from unusable products, increased expenses for alternative packaging solutions, and harm to its business reputation. The defective packaging caused significant financial setbacks, adding to RCBA’s mounting costs and operational disruptions.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): RCBA Nutraceuticals, LLC
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: William Clayton | Kevin Stone Jr.
  • Defendant(s): Western Packaging, Inc. | ProAmpac LLC
    • Counsel for Defendants: G Nail | Adam Herman | Sharon Degnan | Lillian Moon | Michael Esposito | Gerald Copeland Jr. | Sara Brubaker

Claims

RCBA filed a lawsuit against Western Packaging, Inc. and ProAmpac LLC. The Plaintiff alleged negligence, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, and other related claims. Specifically, RCBA argued that ProAmpac negligently designed and manufactured unreliable zipper pouch bags for their intended use. Additionally, the Plaintiff claimed that Western Packaging breached the implied warranty by selling defective products. As a result, RCBA sought damages, taxable costs, and any other relief the Court deemed appropriate.

Defense

Western Packaging, Inc. and ProAmpac LLC denied liability for the defective packaging. ProAmpac asserted that it designed and manufactured the zipper pouch bags in compliance with industry standards. The company argued that any defects were caused by improper handling or misuse by RCBA Nutraceuticals. ProAmpac claimed it had fulfilled its duty to provide reliable packaging solutions and denied any negligence in the design or manufacturing process.

Western Packaging, Inc. contended that it acted solely as a distributor, relying on ProAmpac’s expertise as the manufacturer. The company denied any knowledge of defects in the zipper pouch bags at the time of sale and rejected any breach of implied warranty. Both defendants further argued that RCBA’s damages were caused by factors unrelated to the bags’ condition, such as improper storage or external circumstances outside their control.

Jury Verdict

On January 6, 2025, the jury awarded a verdict of $15.4 million in damages to RCBA Nutraceuticals, LLC in a high-profile case against Western Packaging, Inc. and ProAmpac LLC. After deliberating, the jury concluded that the defendants were liable for the defective zipper pouch bags. ProAmpac was found negligent in manufacturing the packaging and breaching its duty to produce reliable products for their intended use. Additionally, Western Packaging was held responsible for breaching the implied warranty of merchantability by distributing defective products.

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com