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Any person who manufactures, assembles or packages articles containing food who has suffered or will suffer an ascertainable loss as a result of a violation of this part may commence a civil action against any manufacturer who is alleged to have violated or to be in violation of this part.
The action may be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the county where any alleged sale took place, is taking place, or is about to take place, or in the county in which the alleged violator resides, has its principal place of business, conducts, transacts, or has transacted business, or, if the person cannot be found in any of the foregoing locations, in the county in which such person can be found.
If the court finds that the violation was a willful or knowing violation, the court shall award three (3) times the actual damages sustained and provide such other relief as it considers necessary and proper.
A person commencing a civil action under this section shall serve a copy of the action on the attorney general. In any action under this section, the attorney general, if not a party, may intervene as a matter of right at any time in the proceeding.
Without regard to any other remedy or relief to which a person is entitled, anyone affected by a violation of this part may bring an action to obtain a declaratory judgment that the part or practice violates this part and to enjoin the person who has violated, is violating, or who is otherwise likely to violate this part; provided, that such action shall not be filed or shall not be continued if the attorney general has commenced or intervened in a proceeding pursuant to § 47-18-1805.
The court, in issuing any final order in any action brought pursuant to this section, shall award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney fees) to the prevailing party. The court may, if a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction is sought, require the filing of a bond or equivalent security in accordance with the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure.