Jessy Edwards  |  October 14, 2021

Category: Beauty Products

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.

kroger sunscreens and reef-friendly
(Photo Credit: Eric Glenn/Shutterstock)

Kroger Sunscreens False Ad Class Action Lawsuit Overview: 

  • Who: Kroger is facing a class action lawsuit filed by a sunscreen purchaser who claims they were misled.
  • Why: The plaintiff alleges the retail giant marketed its store-brand Kroger sunscreens as friendly to coral reefs when they allegedly contain chemicals that harm or kill reefs.
  • Where: The lawsuit seeks to represent consumers nationwide.

Retail giant Kroger falsely labels its Kroger-brand sunscreens as “reef-friendly” when the ingredients actually kill the delicate reefs, destroying the habitat of marine life, a new class action lawsuit alleges.

Plaintiff Phillip White filed the class action complaint against The Kroger Co. and skin care manufacturer Fruit of the Earth, Inc on Oct. 12 in a California federal court, alleging violations of California consumer protection laws and breach of warranty. 

The plaintiff alleges that a variety of Kroger sunscreens, including baby, kids, sport, regular and tanning products, come with an emblem declaring them “reef-friendly,” along with a picture of a turtle.  White says the labeling leads reasonable consumers to believe that the products only contain ingredients that are reef-safe. 

However, he says they actually contain harmful chemical ingredients that are not safe for reefs because they can harm or even kill coral reefs and the marine life that depends on them. 

“In spite of the Products labeling, they contain Harmful Ingredients, including avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and/or octocrylene, which are chemicals that harm reefs, including coral reefs and the marine life that inhabits them,” he says.

Kroger Sunscreens False ‘Reef-Friendly’ Label Reaps Billions in Competitive Market

White claims Kroger and Fruit of the Earth are responsible for falsely-labelelling Kroger sunscreens in order to obtain an unfair competitive advantage in the “billion-dollar sunscreen market.”

“Defendants have reaped millions of dollars through this fraudulent scheme based on a calculated business decision to put profits over people and the environment,” the complaint states.

White is looking to represent all United States residents who bought the “reef friendly” labeled Korger brand sunscreen, plus a California subclass. The products listed in the claim are Kroger Baby Sunscreen, Kroger Kids Sunscreen, Kroger Sheer Sunscreen, Kroger Sport Sunscreen, Kroger Sunscreen and Kroger Tanning Sunscreen. 

The plaintiff is seeking certification of the class action, an order declaring that the defendants have broken the law, an injunction, damages, fees and costs. 

The news comes just days after an identical class action lawsuit was filed in the same court by the same law firm, alleging Target’s Up & Up brand sunscreen, manufactured by Fruit of the Earth, was falsely marketed as “reef-conscious” when it harms coral reefs.

Meanwhile, the maker of Banana Boat sunscreens also faces class action claims that it falsely markets the products as being “reef friendly” when they really contain chemicals that can harm or even kill the delicate reefs.

What do you think of allegations that the companies profited off false claims that the sunscreens are “reef friendly”? Let us know in the comments. 

The plaintiff is represented by Ryan J. Clarkson, Shireen M. Clarkson, Katherine A. Bruce, and Kelsey J. Elling of Clarkson Law firm, P.C. 

The Kroger Reef-Friendly Sunscreens Class Action Lawsuit is White, et al., v. The Kroger Co. et al., Case No. 3:21-cv-08004, in the U.S. District Court Northern District of California.


Don’t Miss Out!

Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!


Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

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

12 thoughts onKroger Sunscreens Labeled ‘Reef Friendly’ Actually Harm, Kill Reefs, Class Action Lawsuit Alleges

  1. Angela Jones says:

    add me

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.