Procter & Gamble benzene aerosol products $8M class action settlement

Update:

• Top Class Actions readers reported this settlement paying out up to $10.50 as of Sept. 19, 2023.
• Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got paid!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This content has been sponsored and edited for clarity in collaboration with the sponsor.

Procter & Gamble (P&G) agreed to pay $8 million as part of a settlement to resolve claims its aerosolized products contain benzene, a known carcinogen. Consumers do not need to provide proof of purchase in order to benefit.

The Procter & Gamble settlement benefits consumers who purchased Secret, Old Spice, Pantene, Waterl<ss, Aussie, Herbal Essences or Hair Food aerosol antiperspirant, deodorant, body spray, dry shampoo or dry conditioner products between Nov. 4, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2021.

According to a class action lawsuit against P&G, aerosol products sold by the company’s brands were contaminated with benzene. Benzene is formed both naturally in volcanoes and forest fires and through synthetic products such as the production of crude oil and gasoline, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although the chemical is used to make plastics and other synthetics, benzene is a carcinogen associated with leukemia.

P&G recalled several of its aerosol products in December 2021 due to benzene contamination, the plaintiffs note. Several class action lawsuits followed these recalls, claiming that consumers wouldn’t have purchased the products if they knew the aerosol items would expose them to a known carcinogen. Plaintiffs in the consolidated case sought refunds for purchased P&G aerosol products and compensation for false advertising.

P&G hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to an $8 million class action settlement to resolve these allegations. 

Under the terms of the Procter & Gamble settlement, class members can receive a cash payment based on the number of products they purchased and whether they provide proof of purchase. 

Each eligible product will result in either $3.50 in cash or a voucher for the same product purchased. Voucher value varies depending on brand and type, as follows: $5 for Old Spice Hair; $6 for Aussie; $7 for Old Spice, Secret or Herbal Essences; $9 for Pantene or Waterl<ss; and $10 for Hair Food. 

Class members can claim up to three eligible products without proof of purchase for a maximum payment of $10.50 or applicable vouchers. 

With proof of purchase, class members can receive compensation for each eligible product they purchased.

In addition to monetary payments, the Procter & Gamble settlement provides non-monetary relief. The company has agreed to implement material testing, finished product testing and other measures to monitor for benzene contamination in the future.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Jan. 26, 2023. 

The final approval hearing for the Procter & Gamble benzene products settlement is scheduled for May 30, 2023.

In order to receive benefits under the P&G settlement, class members must submit a valid claim form by Jan. 26, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

Consumers who purchased Secret, Old Spice, Pantene, Waterl<ss, Aussie, Herbal Essences or Hair Food aerosol antiperspirant, deodorant, body spray, dry shampoo or dry conditioner products between Nov. 4, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2021

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Class members can claim up to three eligible products without proof of purchase for a maximum payment of $10.50 or applicable vouchers. 

With proof of purchase, class members can receive compensation for each eligible product they purchased.

A dated receipt or other document evidencing the class member’s actual purchase of one or more of the P&G aerosol products between Nov. 4, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2021.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

01/26/2023

Case Name

In re: Procter & Gamble Aerosol Products Marketing & Sales Practices Litigation, Case No. 2:22-MD-03025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Final Hearing

05/30/2023

Settlement Website

AerosolSpraySettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Procter & Gamble Aerosol
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
PO Box 5324
New York, NY 10150-5324
833-709-0662

Class Counsel

Gary Klinger
MILBERG COLEMAN BRYSON PHILLIPS GROSSMAN

Kevin Laukaitis
SHUB LAW FIRM

Steven Bloch
SILVER GOLUB & TEITELL LLP

Mark S Reich
LEVI & KORSINSKY LLP

Richard S Wayne
STRAUSS TROY CO LPA

Rick Paul
PAUL LLP

Paul Doolittle
POULIN WILLEY ANASTOPOULO LLC

Bryan Aylstock
AYLSTOCK WITKIN KREIS & OVERHOLTZ PLLC

Jonathan Jagher
FREED KANNER LONDON & MILLEN LLC

Michael Reese
REESE LLP

Terence R Coates
MARKOVITS STOCK & DEMARCO LLC

Noah M Schubert
SCHUBERT JONCKHEER & KOLBE LLP

Defense Counsel

Andrew Soukup
COVINGTON & BURLING LLP