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Robitussin Naturals class action overview:
- Who: A cough syrup consumer is suing GSK for falsely advertising its Robitussin Naturals cough syrup.
- Why: The plaintiff alleges the product is advertised as being natural and being effective at giving cough relief, when it is neither.
- Where: The Robitussin Naturals class action was filed in an Illinois federal court.
GSK falsely advertises its Robitussin Naturals cough syrup as being natural and effective at giving cough relief, when it is neither, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
Plaintiff Yumbella Batey filed the class action lawsuit against GSK Consumer Health Inc. on Feb. 18 in an Illinois federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.
According to the lawsuit, GSK manufactures and sells cough syrup under the Robitussin “Naturals” brand promising “cough relief.” The label also states that the product is “Free from artificial colors, flavors & preservatives.”
However, the advertising of the product is false, deceptive and misleading because it contains citric acid, an artificial ingredient which serves multiple preservative functions, Batey says.
For over a hundred years, the production of citric acid has not been natural because it is made beginning with fermentation from the Aspergillus niger mold, she says.
GSK targeted those who prefer ‘natural’ products, lawsuit alleges
GSK made the product to tap into the growing market of consumers who prefer natural alternatives to standard over-the-counter and prescription medications, especially for their kids.
The product is shelved next to traditional over-the-counter cough and cold medications, yet it is described as a “dietary supplement,” the lawsuit states. The product’s placement in drug stores next to over the counter medicated cough products causes consumers to expect it is equivalent in effectiveness to those items when it is not, Batey alleges.
The claim that the product is a “cough relief” is also misleading, as it implies that the product is effective for treating an upper respiratory infection, the cause of the common cough, not simply for treating hoarseness and dry throat coughs, she says.
As a result, Batey seeks to represent an Illinois class of consumers who bought the product, plus a consumer fraud multi-state class of consumers from Arkansas, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Alaska.
She is suing for violations of state consumer fraud laws, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and unjust enrichment and seeks certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.
Last year, Glaxosmithkline was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging it falsely advertises that its Robitussin brand cough medicines are non-drowsy.
Did you buy this Robitussin product? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiff is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates P.C.
The GSK Consumer Health Inc. class action lawsuit is Yumbella Batey et al., v. GSK Consumer Health Inc., Case No. 4:23-cv-04031-SLD-JEH in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.
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73 thoughts onRobitussin class action claims Naturals cough syrup falsely advertised, contains artificial ingredients
I have this on my counter with that number. Ive been taking it,