A former hostess for the Style Network’s “Ambush Makeover” show is suing the makers of a nutrition bar, because she allegedly broke a tooth on New Year’s Eve when she bit a “foreign” object embedded in one.
Gigi Berry sued Quaker Oats Co. Inc. Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging strict products liability, negligence and breach of implied warranty. The suit seeks unspecified damages.
A Quaker Oats representative did not immediately reply today to an email seeking comment.
The suit states that Berry unwrapped a Real Medleys granola bar on Dec. 31.
“On this occasion, however, Ms. Berry bit into a hard foreign object embedded within the bar that immediately caused excruciating pain,” the suit states.
The object cracked and dislodged one of Berry’s teeth and dislocated others, causing her gums to swell and bleed, the suit states.
“Ms. Berry even swallowed some of her chipped tooth in the process,” according to the lawsuit.
Berry felt so much pain she could not speak or move, “but could only cry in pain and shock,” the suit states.
She was unable to eat solid food and could not leave home to celebrate New Year’s Eve as planned, according to her complaint.
A dentist told Berry three days later that “her chipped tooth was dying (and) the nerves were exposed,” the suit states.
In June a dental specialist recommended root canal surgery and restorative procedures on two of her most damaged teeth and that the same be done with the other two damaged teeth in the future, the suit states.
Berry continues to suffer, the suit states.
“She is unable to enjoy food the way she did prior to the incident,” the suit states. “Instead, she suffers from anxiety and fear about similar incidents occurring.”
Berry’s television career also has been negatively affected and she does not have the “unblemished smile” she had before the incident, the suit states.
“Ambush Makeover” ran from 2005-05 on the Style Network. Berry and other hosts were dubbed “style agents” who presented makeover plans for individuals.
