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This settlement is closed!
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Purchasers of Costco coconut oil can qualify for reimbursement under terms of a recent $775,000 class action settlement.
This Costco class action lawsuit began in March 2016, when plaintiffs James Boswell and Malia Levin challenged representations on Costco coconut oil that present the product as “healthy.” The product at issue comes in a 42.3-ounce jar and is sold under the Kirkland label, Costco’s house brand, often sold in two-jar packs.
The plaintiffs accuse Costco of exploiting consumer interest in foods that are perceived as being “healthy.” Coconut oil has a substantial amount of saturated fat, which increases the chance of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other dangerous diseases, the plaintiffs say. That risk makes Costco coconut oil inherently unhealthy and a less healthy alternative to other fats and oils.
After more than a year of discovery, preliminary motions and mediation sessions, the parties agreed to this class action settlement in May 2017. The settlement requires Costco to put up a $775,000 settlement fund to cover compensation for Class Members. This fund will also cover the plaintiffs’ service awards, court costs, class counsel’s attorneys’ fees, and the costs of administering the settlement.
Costco has also agreed to remove the terms “healthy” and “healthful” from the label of Costco coconut oil and to refrain from any future use of those terms or any variation of the term “healthy.”
Although Costco has agreed to the settlement, it maintains that it has done nothing wrong. The settlement agreement does not require Costco to make any admissions, and the court has not issued any decision on liability.
Class Members who want to be excluded from the settlement must do so in writing by Oct. 30, 2017. Those who want to object to the settlement’s terms must file their objections by Nov. 13, 2017.
Who’s Eligible
Class Members include all persons in the U.S. who bought Kirkland Signature Organic Virgin Coconut Oil in 42.3-ounce jars for personal or household use since March 1, 2014.
Potential Award
Once the settlement fund has been used to pay other expenses, the remaining funds will be distributed among Class Members who submit valid and timely claims. Each qualifying Class Member will receive payment for each Costco coconut oil product purchased, for up to five units per Class Member.
Proof of Purchase
The settlement administrator requires different documentation depending on where the Class Member bought their Costco coconut oil:
- Class Members who purchased their Costco coconut oil from Costco and were Costco members at the time of purchase must provide their Costco membership number. Their purchase will be verified using Costco’s own records.
- Class Members who purchased Costco coconut oil from a source other than Costco must provide documentation of the purchase that shows the price paid as well as the date and location of the purchase.
Claim Form
Claim Form Deadline
10/30/2017
Case Name
Boswell, et al. v. Costco Wholesale Corp., et al., Case No. 8:16-cv-00278, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Final Hearing
12/4/2017
UPDATE: The Costco Coconut Oil Mislabeling Class Action Settlement was granted final approval on December 13, 2017. Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
Settlement Website
www.KirklandCoconutOilSettlement.com
Claims Administrator
Kirkland Signature Coconut Oil Settlement
c/o Dahl Administration
P.O. Box 3614
Minneapolis, MN 55403-0614
1-866-875-7574
info@KirklandCoconutOilSettlement.com
Class Counsel
Jack Fitzgerald
THE LAW OFFICE OF JACK FITZGERALD PC
Paul K. Joseph
THE LAW OFFICE OF PAUL K. JOSEPH PC
Defense Counsel
Frank J. Broccolo
LAW OFFICE OF FRANK J. BROCCOLO
Anthony B. Gordon
GORDON AND GORDON, A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION
Baxter Banowsky
BANOWSKY & LEVINE PC
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51 thoughts onCostco Coconut Oil Mislabeling Class Action Settlement
Received my check today
How much was it for?
I had trouble submitting my form online. I ended up printing out and mailing USPS. I wonder if they do this on purpose to keep people from submitting a claim so they don’t have to pay out any claims?
i still haven’t got a check either..WHATS UP???
This should be a heads up for anybody promoting “healthy” of any kind. Is exercise healthy? It has been known to cause heart attacks. This sets a precedence that makes using the word healthy a liability risk for any product or advice that could be offered. What’s next, could the use of any adjective be grounds for a lawsuit?
Excuse me? Really? Coconut oil is quite healthy. The Framingham study that ‘proved’ saturated fats were the cause of high LDL has been debunked many times. Funny then they said use Olive oil…. check the labels. Coconut = no cholesterol Olive Oil = quite a bit of cholesterol. When they took are good saturated fats away… heart disease kept going up & up– go figure. For those of you who freak out at coconut oil & feed at McDonalds, buy processed foods, feed you kids sodas & toaster pastries… I’m sorry but you are being hypocrites.
I’m agreed with Cecelia. People is idiot. Buy McDonald’s, keep eating pizza, hot dogs, processed foods and you are going to be very healthy. I had used that coconut oil from Costco, and you know what I think attorneys are guilty because they accept any complain if they see they can get some money. That’s the law in USA.
i dont get it. It must be a left wing conspiracy. I think Nancy Pelosi is behind all of this
Don’t just do nothing. Opted out and send a letter of objection. The big corp machines that makes the unhealthy oils do not want us to eat the healthy oils.
This is so dumb and based on outdated information! Everyone knows not all fat is bad for you now. That was old science…It IS healthy. It’s anti-inflammatory…I hope people don’t take this class action just for free money, if they’ve been buying this product.
Thank you, a voice of reason. These are the same people who eat at McDonalds & feed their kids pop tarts & sodas. Go figure.
unable to verify identity. something is wrong with this online form. i have costco id.
Wont let me use my costco number
Me either!!
Me either!
Me either
Cannot use my member number to file online.
I agree. Unscrupulous viscous lawyers. I would like to find out if the filers have any connections to the attorneys. That might be interesting to find out. Maybe a class action on them and possibly back suits to be investigated.