Watkins says that McCormick’s deceptive marketing practices have hurt their sales. When customers compare the two containers of pepper, they will naturally assume that they are getting more black pepper for a better price with McCormick’s. In reality, while the tins are not the same size, they do in fact contain the same amount of black pepper.

McCormick has defended itself by arguing that since their pepper tins do in fact have the amount they contain written on them this means that they cannot be held liable for what someone else considers to be deceptive marketing. A lot of people aren’t buying this, however. In addition to the Watkins lawsuit, there is also a class-action lawsuit being filed against McCormick’s by angry customers who purchased their new tins of pepper. The filers claim that they have been ripped off by McCormick’s. Both cases are currently matriculating through the federal court system.

This whole episode illustrates the importance of trustworthiness on the part of corporations. Businesses that are able to build a strong brand of trust and good community relations tend to be more successful. Stunts like the one McCormick’s pulled damage reputations and show that, for consumers, it’s difficult to trust the products that are being sold. So, before you head out to the grocery store next time, make sure to remember the difference between McCormick’s two tins of pepper.