Anne Bucher  |  October 29, 2014

Category: Closed Class Actions

Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.

This settlement is closed!

Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!

Pure Via 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 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!

We tell you about cash you can claim EVERY WEEK! Sign up for our free newsletter.

38 thoughts onPure Via Natural Sweetener Class Action Settlement

  1. Sharon says:

    November 21

  2. Chris says:

    UPDATE (8/25/15): The Court granted final approval to the Settlement in February, 2015. In March, 2015, an appeal of the Settlement was filed. The appeal has been dismissed by the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Court. Pending further appeal, payments to claimants with valid claims will be sent on November 21, 2015.

  3. Susan says:

    UPDATE (8/25/15): The Court granted final approval to the Settlement in February, 2015. In March, 2015, an appeal of the Settlement was filed. The appeal has been dismissed by the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Court. Pending further appeal, payments to claimants with valid claims will be sent on November 21, 2015.

  4. Checks Coming says:

    Lawsuit website says checks will be mailed Nov 21st.

  5. Morty says:

    Called today, was told so many applied that the refund at any tier was going to be less than one dollar. It has been appealed and lawyers are asking for larger settlement. Probably will be some time on this one.

  6. Shelby says:

    Any date for checks

    1. Tony says:

      Received this Monday, June 01, 2015 12:53 PM
      Dear Class Member,
      There was a final Approval Hearing for the Pure Via Sweetener Settlement on February 2, 2015. The Judge approved the Settlement Agreement, however, there were appeals filed. While one was dismissed, the other appeal is still pending and no Settlement Agreement Final Approval Order has been issued yet. No claims can be paid until after the Settlement Agreement Final Approval Order has been issued and all appeals resolved. The resolution of the appeals will take some time, at least several months, and we cannot estimate when claim payments will be made at this time.
      Best Regards,
      Settlement Administrator

  7. David says:

    From the Settlement Administrators email 4-1. A Hearing for the Pure Via Sweetener Settlement was on February 2, 2015. The Judge approved the Settlement Agreement, however, there were appeals filed. While one was dismissed, the other appeal is still pending No claims can be paid until after the Settlement Agreement and Final Approval Order has been issued and all appeals resolved. The resolution of the appeals will take some time, at least several months, and we cannot estimate when claim payments will be made at this time.

  8. sharp301 says:

    February 2, 2015: There are no objectors present. The Court has reviewed objections that were filed with the Court. One objection was withdrawn; and the other was not filed timely. The Court orders that objection stricken from the record.The Settlement is ordered approved. So checks should be out soon

  9. David says:

    Big Mike here is a copy of an email just received from the Administrator.

    The Settlement was granted final approval on February 2, 2015. Barring any appeals, distribution of settlement checks for valid and timely claims is estimated to be in mid-April to May 2015. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

    Best Regards,

    Settlement Administrator

    Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 3:36:24 PM
    To: Pure Via Sweetener Settlement
    Subject: status of Pure Via Settlemen

1 2 3 4

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. By submitting your comment and contact information, you agree to receive marketing emails from Top Class Actions regarding this and/or similar lawsuits or settlements, and/or to be contacted by an attorney or law firm to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you if you qualify. Required fields are marked *

Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.