How a TINA.org Reader Tip Led to a Record Penalty for False Made in USA Claims
FTC says civil penalty against Williams-Sonoma is “the largest ever in a Made in USA case.”
March 2016: A federal judge granted final approval of the settlement.
November 2015: A federal judge preliminarily approved a settlement of this lawsuit. The settlement provides both monetary and injunctive relief. According to the settlement terms, class members may receive a refund for every product purchased ($1.50 for ECOS® Laundry Detergent products and $1 for other Earth Friendly products). Each class member may receive up to $25. The company also agreed to make changes to its labels and website, including not using certain phrases (such as 100% Natural,” “All-Natural,” and “organic”) without meeting certain requirements.
August 2015: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Earth Friendly Products for allegedly marketing Earth Friendly® household cleaners and products as “natural” when they actually contain non-natural ingredients. (Baharestan et al v. Venus Laboratories, Inc. dba Earth Friendly Products, Inc., Case No. 15-cv-3578, N. D. CA.)
For more information about “natural” claims and TINA.org’s coverage of the issue, click here.
FTC says civil penalty against Williams-Sonoma is “the largest ever in a Made in USA case.”
The NBA superstar isn’t just cashing endorsement checks.
Lawsuit alleges environmental claims don’t stick.
Got milk? Apparently not.
Flag on the play.