Ascertainability Saps Plaintiffs’ Energy In Dietary Supplement Class Action

In the recent decision Mirabella v. Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Case No. 12-62086-CIV-ZLOCH (S.D. Fl. Feb. 27, 2015) the plaintiffs attempted, but failed, to certify a nationwide class of all purchasers of an energy drink that allegedly caused harmful side-effects.  The plaintiffs brought claims under Florida's consumer protection statute, known as the Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, as well as federal and common law breach of warranty claims.  The Plaintiffs sought to certify a class composed of all purchasers of the "Redline Extreme Energy Drink" (the "Product") since 2008, a drink that retailed for approximately $3.00 per bottle.

Although the defendant asserted numerous arguments against class certification, the District Court in the Southern District of Florida only needed one:  Lack of ascertainability (a topic we have previously addressed on this blog).  The Court noted that ascertainability was a "threshold" requirement, such that the plaintiffs