South of France Soap, Products Actually Made in Kentucky, Says Class Action

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South of France Soap Class Action Lawsuit Overview: 

• Who: A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Kirk’s Natural LLC. 
• Why: The plaintiff claims Kirk’s Natural misleads consumers into believing its South of France brand products are made in and imported from France, when they actually originate in Kentucky. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit is pending in New York federal court. 

Kirk’s Natural manufactures its South of France soap and other beauty care products in Kentucky, a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

Plaintiff Monique Salerno claims Kirk’s Natural uses packaging meant to mislead consumers into thinking its “South of France” soap, hand wash, sugar polish, foaming hand wash, and hand & body cream are made in and imported from France. 

Salerno wants to represent a New York Class of consumers who purchased any South of France beauty care products between Sept. 3, 2018 and the time of Class certification.

Consumers Misled by South of France Soap, Product Packaging

The front packaging of South of France products includes french text translations, an image of a Southern France coastline, and notations of French cities such as Nice, Marseille, and Cannes, according to the class action lawsuit. 

“A reasonable consumer purchases the Product believing that they are, as marketed, advertised, and labeled, made in France,” states the South of France soap lawsuit. 

Salerno claims she bought a South of France hand and body cream product after the French representations on its packaging led her to believe it was made in that country. The products are actually manufactured in Kentucky, the class action lawsuit alleges.

Kirk’s Natural is simply attempting to “cash in,” on France’s reputation as being a leader in the beauty product industry, says Salerno. 

“Defendant knows that consumers are willing to pay more for French beauty care products due to their perception that they are of better quality, and believing they are paying costs associated with importing French products to the United States,” states the class action lawsuit. 

Salerno alleges Kirk’s Natural is guilty of unjust enrichment and in violation of New York General Business Law. 

Plaintiff is demanding a jury trial and seeking injunctive relief along with actual and statutory damages for herself and all Class Members.

Another class action lawsuit this month alleged collagen skincare products sold by L‘Oréal USA were “worthless” in smoothing wrinkles.

Have you purchased any South of France beauty care products with the impression they were imported from France ? Let us know in the comments! 

The plaintiff is represented by Michael R. Reese, Sue J. Nam, and Charles D. Moore of Reese LLP.

The South of France Soap False Ad Class Action Lawsuit is Salerno v. Kirk’s Natural LLC, Case No. 1:21-cv-04987, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

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