Oct 28 (Reuters) - A federal judge dismissed a proposed

class action lawsuit accusing Mondelez International ( MDLZ ) of

deceiving consumers into overpaying for Clif bars that were

labeled "climate neutral certified."

U.S. District Judge Manish Shah in Chicago found nothing

wrong with labels for Clif Kid Zbar and Zbar Protein products

that reflected a certification from the Change Climate Project,

a nonprofit that helps companies reduce emissions.

Shah dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it cannot

be brought again.

The plaintiff Cynthia Salguero accused Chicago-based

Mondelez ( MDLZ ) of greenwashing, or exaggerating the environmental

impact of a product, by labeling Zbars as "climate neutral."

She said the manufacturing process for Zbars emits 54,000

tons of carbon dioxide annually, the same amount as 12,596

gasoline-powered cars, causing a higher concentration of

greenhouse gases and contributing to climate change.

But the judge said Mondelez ( MDLZ ) did not advertise that Zbars

were climate neutral, but only that they were certified as such.

"This is a distinction with a difference," Shah wrote.

"There is nothing deceptive about Mondelez ( MDLZ ) including on its

packaging a true statement.... Salguero's complaint misstates

the promise that Mondelez ( MDLZ ) was making to prospective customers."

Mondelez ( MDLZ ) and lawyers for Salguero did not immediately

respond to requests for comment.

Salguero, a resident of Anaheim, California, had sought

unspecified damages for Mondelez's ( MDLZ ) alleged misstatements and

violations of California consumer protection laws.

The case is Salguero v Mondelez International Inc ( MDLZ ), U.S.

District Court, Northern District of Illinois, No. 25-02139.