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Consumers are asking a judge to approve a $3 million deal with McCormick to settle allegations the company sold spices and seasonings misleadingly labeled as “natural.”
The proposed settlement was filed Friday in a New York federal court by consumers looking to reach an agreement with McCormick & Co. over a five-year-old class action case.
The class action was launched in 2016, alleging certain McCormick products are deceptively labeled as “natural” so the company could ramp up prices in a market increasingly demanding natural products.
The original class action alleged 29 McCormick seasonings contained ingredients like citric acid and other ingredients derived from genetically-modified corn – ingredients no reasonable consumer would consider “natural.”
McCormick labeled the products as “natural” to take advantage of consumers’ preference for food that avoids artificial ingredients, the class action stated.
In Friday’s proposed settlement, payments would go to two different tiers of the Class.
One tier would be for those who still had proof of purchase, where those with a receipt could seek reimbursement of $1 per seasoning with no limit. Those without a receipt could get up to $15.
Attorneys for the Class said they would be requesting 33 percent of the fund, or $1 million, to cover their fees.
In 2018, McCormick was granted a pause on proceedings to see if the FDA would rule on how the word “natural” is used in product marketing. When no ruling had been made by the following year, the parties went into mediation and agreed upon the proposed settlement.
According to the settlement, McCormick would modify its labeling on the 29 products. It’s allowed to sell the remaining stock with the original labels.
Eligible Class members would be able to file their claim through a claim form on a website, and the payments would be sent out via check.
McCormick denies it broke the law, but said it was settling to prevent further litigation.
“Defendant has denied and continues to deny that the labeling, advertising, or marketing of its Products is false, deceptive, or misleading to consumers or violates any legal requirement, including but not limited to the allegations that Defendant engaged in unfair, unlawful, fraudulent, or deceptive trade practices, breached an express warranty, or was unjustly enriched.”
Meanwhile, last year McCormick agreed to pay $2.5 million to resolve claims made by customers stating their black pepper products were underfilled.
The settlement benefits California, Florida and Missouri residents who purchased McCormick or other private label brand black pepper products. A full list of who is eligible is available here.
What do you think of this proposed settlement over the seasonings and spices? Let us know in the comments!
The Class is represented by Michael R. Reese of Reese LLP and Joshua H. Eggnatz of Eggnatz Pascucci PA.
The McCormick Natural Spices Class Action Lawsuit is Megan Holve v. McCormick & Co. Inc., Case No. 6:16-cv-06702, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.
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158 thoughts onMcCormick Agrees to $3M Settlement Over Spices and Seasoning Class Action Lawsuit
When will the checks be issued?
I’ve used Mccormick for so many years, please add me.