Gain class action claims company ‘greenwashes’ products that contain toxins

Gain greenwashing class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Darlene Hangen-Hall filed a class action lawsuit against The Procter & Gamble Company. 
• Why: Hangen-Hall claims Procter & Gamble “greenwashes” its Gain laundry detergent to make it appear environmentally friendly despite it allegedly containing a probable human carcinogen.
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court.

Procter & Gamble manufactures and sells Gain brand laundry detergent that is designed to look environmentally friendly, despite it allegedly containing high levels of the toxin 1,4-Dioxane, a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

Plaintiff Darlene Hangen-Hall claims the packaging for Gain laundry detergent is green and contains a design of natural elements — such as stylized flowers, leaves, and butterflies — in order to make the product appear sustainable and environmentally friendly. 

Hangen-Hall argues Procter & Gamble is allegedly “greenwashing” its Gain laundry detergent product to target consumers who are willing to pay more for items they believe are sustainable and help protect the environment. 

“Research has shown that this kind of imagery evokes positive emotional responses in consumers, and is especially effective when consumers are not particularly knowledgeable and aware of greenwashing methods,” the Gain class action states. 

Hangen Hall wants to represent a New York class and multi-state consumer fraud class of individuals who have purchased the Gain laundry detergent product during the statutes of limitations for each cause of action alleged. 

Gain laundry detergent contains probable human carcinogen, says class action

Despite the packaging for the Gain laundry detergent containing natural elements, independent testing has shown that the product contains 3.32 parts per million of the toxin 1,4-Dioxane, the Gain class action alleges. 

The National Institutes of Health and Environmental Protection Agency, meanwhile, both classify 1,4-Dioxane as a “probable human carcinogen” that accumulates in a person’s body over time, according to the Gain class action. 

Hangen-Hall argues that, despite the alleged risk to human health presented by 1,4-Dioxane, Procter & Gamble fails to disclose the toxin’s alleged inclusion in its Gain laundry detergent product to consumers. 

“Defendant had a duty to disclose and/or provide non-deceptive descriptions and marketing of the Product,” the Gain class action states. 

Hangen-Hall claims Procter & Gamble is guilty of fraud, unjust enrichment, and negligent misrepresentation, and is in violation of the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, several state consumer fraud acts, and New York General Business Law. 

Plaintiff is demanding a jury trial and requesting declaratory relief along with an award of monetary, statutory, and/or punitive damages for herself and all class members. 

In other laundry detergent news, Art of Green initiated a recall for more than 14,000 of its laundry detergent products last December over concerns they may have been contaminated with bacteria. 

Have you purchased Gain brand laundry detergent? Let us know in the comments! 

The plaintiff is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates, P.C. 

The Gain greenwashing class action lawsuit is Hangen-Hall, et al. v. The Procter & Gamble Company, Case No. 1:23-cv-00218, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

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