Kona Beer, Califia Creamer Class Action Settlement Checks Mailed

Top Class Actions viewers are starting to get checks in the mail from settlements involving Califia Farms nondairy products and Kona beer. 

Califia Farms Nondairy Class Action Settlement

While today is the claim deadline for the Califia Farms nondairy class action settlement, some of the checks for as much as $5 have already been mailed out.

The settlement provided $3 million in payments to consumers who purchased certain nondairy Califia Farms coffees, creamers, almondmilk, or other products.

The plaintiffs filed the class action lawsuit in September 2019, claiming Califia Farms’ almondmilk products were marketed as containing vanilla, when in fact the vanilla flavoring was artificial.

According to the Califia Farms class action lawsuit, the products’ ingredient lists includes “natural flavors” rather than vanilla.

“’Natural flavor’ refers to ‘the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive…which contains the flavoring constituents’ from a natural source such as plant material and can refer to combinations of natural flavors,” the class action lawsuit said.

However, the product packaging includes a picture of a vanilla flower, and nowhere on the label does Califia Farms inform consumers that vanilla flavoring, rather than natural vanilla, is used in the products, the plaintiffs argued.

The company did not admit any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve the claims against it with the settlement.

Class Members providing proof of purchase are eligible to claim up to 15 products at $1 each.

Without providing proof of purchase, Class Members can claim up to 10 products at $0.50 each.

Those payment amounts per unit will be reduced if proof of purchase claims exceed $2 million or if claims without proof of purchase exceed $1 million.

Consumers who purchased certain nondairy Califia Farms products between Aug. 7, 2014, and March 20, 2020, may be eligible to make a claim.

The claim form deadline for this settlement is Oct. 7, 2020.

The Califia Farms Nondairy Class Action Lawsuit was Cicciarella, et al. v. Califia Farms LLC, Case No. 7:19-cv-08785-CS, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Kona Beer Settlement

Online payments from the Kona beer settlement were sent last month, and checks for $10 are in the mail now.

The settlement resolved consumers’ claims that Kona beers, such as Longboard Island Lager, Castaway IPA and Big Wave Golden Ale, are not actually made in Hawaii. 

Consumers were eligible to claim up to $20 in compensation thanks to the settlement.

The plaintiffs in the Kona beer class action lawsuit alleged that Craft Brew Alliance Inc. portrays its Kona beers as being made in Hawaii, when in reality they are brewed in New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington.

The Kona beer class action lawsuit accused Craft Brew Alliance of violating California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), California’s Unfair Competition Law and California’s False Advertising law, as well as alleging common law fraud, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.

The company agreed to the settlement in May 2019.

Class Members were eligible to recover up to $10 per household without proof of purchase, such as a receipt, credit card statement or other documentation.

With such documentation, Class Members could recover up to $20 per household.

Anyone who purchased a four-, six-, 12- or 24-pack of Kona Beer between Feb. 28, 2013, and June 14, 2019, was eligible to make a claim. Consumers who purchased single bottles or cans were not eligible.

The deadline to file a claim form in this settlement was Oct. 7, 2019.

The Kona Beer Class Action Lawsuit was Broomfield, et al. v. Craft Brew Alliance Inc., et al., Case No. 5:17-cv-01027-BLF, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

Judge Rules Olympia Beer Class Action Lawsuit Can Move Forward

Nestlé Class Action Lawsuit Says Coffee Mate Creamer Is Mislabeled

Diocese of Rockville Centre Files for Bankruptcy Amid Avalanche of Sex Abuse Claims

Deadline to Finish Roundup Settlements Approaching, Mediator Hopeful