Unilever is facing a class action lawsuit after a consumer accused the company of fraud and negligent misrepresentation in a complaint filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California, according to a report published by Legal NewsLine.

The plaintiff alleges that he suffered damage after using a shampoo and conditioner billed as ‘natural’ that contained synthetic ingredients. He is accusing Conopco, for the Anglo-Dutch FMCG giant, of using the term despite being aware that the products contain artificial ingredients.

The complainant is seeking trial by jury, as well as compensatory and punitive damages and costs. This is the second such suit to be bought against Unilever this year, with two women accusing the manufacturer of St Ives facial scrub of false advertising in January. Colgate-Palmolive is also battling a similar claim over its Tom’s of Maine brand.