Pure Via Natural Sweetener Class Action Settlement

Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC and Merisant Company have agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging they deceptively marketed their Pure Via Natural Sweetener products. Consumers who have purchased Pure Via products may be eligible to receive a cash refund.

The Pure Via class action lawsuit challenged the labeling and marketing of the Pure Via sweetener products. The plaintiff alleges she was misled by the statements on the Pure Via All Natural Zero Calorie Sweetener. She alleges that the product was not “natural” because it contained ingredients that were “highly processed.” She claims the labels on Pure Via products are inaccurate or misleading.

According to the Pure Via class action lawsuit, Whole Earth and Merisant violated consumer protection laws and breach of warranty laws. The plaintiff sought to represent a nationwide Class of consumers who purchased Pure Via Natural Sweetener products.

The defendants deny that its marketing, advertising and/or labeling of Pure Via sweeteners is false, deceptive or misleading, and insist that the products are truthfully labeled as “natural.” However, they agreed to settle the Pure Via labeling class action lawsuit to avoid the risk and cost of trial.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members of the Pure Via labeling settlement include U.S. residents who purchased (for household use or personal consumption) Pure Via products in the United States between Jan. 1, 2008 and Oct. 6, 2014. Eligible Pure Via products include any Pure Via sweetener in a packet, spoonable jar, liquid, and baking blend forms of any size or quantity.

Potential Award

Up to $30. The value of the cash refund each Class Member is eligible to receive depends on the number or value of Pure Via Natural Sweetener products purchased.

Tier 1:

Class Members who purchased either $80 or more worth of Pure Via products, or 20 or more total Pure Via products, will be eligible to receive a maximum of $30 from the Pure Via settlement.

Tier 2:

Class Members who purchased either $40 to $79.99 worth of Pure Via products, or 10 to 19 Pure Via products, will be eligible to receive a maximum of $20.

Tier 3:

Class Members who purchased either $20 to $39.99 worth of Pure Via products, or 5 to 9 Pure Via products, will be eligible to receive a maximum of $10.

Tier 4:

Class Members who purchased either less than $20 (but more than $0.01) worth of Pure Via products, or 1 to 4 Pure Via products, will be eligible to receive a maximum of $5.

Proof of Purchase

None required. However, the Settlement Administrator may request verification or more information about the claimed purchase of Pure Via for fraud prevention purposes.

When submitting the Claim Form, Class Members must attest, under the penalty of perjury, that the information provided is true and correct.

Claim Form

Claim Form Deadline

2/10/2015

Case Name

Aguiar v. Merisant Company and Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC, Case No. 2:14-cv-00670, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Final Hearing

2/2/2015

Settlement Website

www.PureViaSweetenerSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Pure Via Settlement Administrator
c/o Dahl Administration
P.O. Box 3614
Minneapolis, MN 55403-9126
1-888-805-9126
mail@PureViaSweetenerSettlement.com

Class Counsel

Joseph P. Guglielmo
Amanda F. Lawrence
SCOTT+SCOTT ATTORNEYS AT LAW LLP

E. Kirk Wood
WOOD LAW FIRM LLC

Defense Counsel

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

UPDATE: Readers are reporting that they are receiving checks in the mail from the Pure Via class action settlement. Congratulations to everyone who submitted a valid claim and got PAID!