Miami-based Goldenberry Farms said it has filed suit for damages and trademark infringement in federal court for its Sugar Mango brand of miniature mangoes.
Goldenberry said it enforced trademarks in North America, Europe and at Sugar Mango’s origin in Colombia. The lawsuit alleges specific traders actively bypassed certified suppliers and misrepresented a product to be part of Sugar Mango miniature mango brand to distributors and grocers, according to a news release.
“When traders bypass legitimate supply channels, it causes a chain reaction including diverting the income from local, small family farmers who have invested in sustainable practices to offer a high-quality item,” Michelle Anders, communications director for the brand, said in the release. “The quality cannot be assured, and the result is significant marketplace confusion.”
Anders said the company took the action to protect the brand and its authorized retailers and partners.
“We make significant investments in the development of each of our unique and proprietary items, taking years and significant financial resources to develop both the item and the market demand,” she said. “Goldenberry follows a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against infringement, pursuing each and every case it becomes aware of, regardless of size.”
