CONSUMERS who feel they were cheated into buying Nutella as a nutritious treat could be entitled to cash, after class action lawsuits inspired by a Californian mom were settled to the tune of $3 million.

Athena Hohenberg filed the initial suit in California, over a year ago, claiming busy moms were being fooled into thinking the popular chocolate-hazelnut spread would help them "nourish their children with whole grains" as "part of a balanced meal," but was actually closer in nutritional value to a "candy bar."

Hohenberg's actions were soon followed by Laura Rude-Barbato, who also filed a claim in California, along with Marnie Glover and Jayme Kaczmarek, who filed separately in New Jersey.

The settlements agreed by Nutella's manufacturer, Ferrero U.S.A., are to be divided among the suits' claimants - and Hohenberg is urging others to join her.

Anyone who bought the spread in California between August 1, 2009, and January 23, 2012, or any other in US state between January 1, 2008, and February 3, 2012, could be entitled to money from the settlement funds, according to the Nutella Consumer Class Action Settlements website.

Each claimant will be paid $4 per jar of Nutella bought during those periods up to a maximum of $20. If the total claim exceeds the net settlement fund, each claimant will receive a smaller amount, according to January court documents.

Applications can be made via the website, but must be submitted by July 5.

Hohenberg said she launched the suit when she realized Nutella "contains dangerous level of saturated fat," despite its marketing leading her to believe it was nutritious.

She claimed many consumers would not have purchased the product had they been aware that the health claims surrounding it were overblown.

The spread's nutrition label shows there are about 200 calories in each two-tablespoon serving, about half of which come from fat. The suit noted that consumption of saturated fat has been shown to cause heart disease, while consumption of processed sugar has been shown to cause Type 2 diabetes.

In addition to the financial settlement, Ferrero has been forced to change Nutella's labeling and some of its marketing statements.