Status: In progress

Hangen-Hall, et al. v. The Procter & Gamble Co.

Procter & Gamble โ€œgreenwashesโ€ its Gain laundry detergent to make it appear environmentally friendly despite it allegedly containing a probable human carcinogen.ย 

  • Deadline to file a claim: TBD
  • Proof of Purchase Required: No
  • Potential Individual Reward: TBD
  • Total Settlement Amount: TBD
  • States Involved

Abraham Jewett ย |ย  March 17, 2023

Category: Consumer News
A person holding Gain laundry soap
(Photo Credit: calimedia/Shutterstock)

Gain greenwashing class action lawsuit overview:ย 

  • Who: Darlene Hangen-Hall filed a class action lawsuit against The Procter & Gamble Company.ย 
  • Why: Hangen-Hall claims Procter & Gamble โ€œgreenwashesโ€ 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.ย 

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

Hangen-Hall argues Procter & Gamble is allegedly โ€œgreenwashingโ€ 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.ย 

โ€œResearch 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,โ€ the Gain class action states.ย 

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.ย 

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.ย 

The National Institutes of Health and Environmental Protection Agency, meanwhile, both classify 1,4-Dioxane as a โ€œprobable human carcinogenโ€ that accumulates in a personโ€™s body over time, according to the Gain class action.ย 

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

โ€œDefendant had a duty to disclose and/or provide non-deceptive descriptions and marketing of the Product,โ€ the Gain class action states.ย 

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.ย 

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.ย 

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.ย 

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

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

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.


Donโ€™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.

1,769 thoughts onGain class action claims company โ€˜greenwashesโ€™ products that contain toxins

  1. Vickie Hooks says:

    I have use gain for years. I broke out on arms & itched so bad that I had sores all over shoulders & armes scared really bad on arms OMG never dreamed that gain was the cause. I was treated for everything and nothing helped. Just stopped using gain recently after 20 years. Add me to your list.

    1. Mary Palmer says:

      I have been using Gain powder, liquid detergent and Gain fabric softener sheets for many years. Please add me to the list.

    2. Sarah Taylor says:

      Iโ€™ve been using Gain products for many years also Iโ€™ve had reacquiring rashes through the years never figured out where they were coming fromโ€ฆ Pretty sure I know now please add me to the list. Thank you

  2. Stacy A Bolyard says:

    Iโ€™ve been using Gain landry soap and Fabric softener for several years and never knew it had 1,4-Dioxane as a โ€œprobable human carcinogenโ€ that accumulates in a personโ€™s body over time, Gain should have had a warning on its labels about this. Now I know why I itch alot after using there landry soap and Fabric softener. I also use there Dish Soap.

    1. Peggy Fleming says:

      Yes I have and my husband was diagnosed with a form of cancer and this is concerning please add me to the list

  3. Ariel says:

    Weve been using gain as our to go product my mother alawys had a break out skin problem when i used it i and i was itchy i never thpugh it was the gain products just thought ot was a skin sensitivity i currently have gain products in my wash room and reciepts of purchase

  4. Penny Ainsworth says:

    Iโ€™ve been using gain for years. Thought it was safe to use and environmentally friendly maybe thatโ€™s why Iโ€™ve started having itchy skin rashes on my chest and back.

    1. Faith Linder-Hounlekpo says:

      Please add me because Iโ€™m a definite Gain user. Have been for years.

  5. Cherry says:

    Please add me.

  6. Roberta King says:

    I HAVE BEEN USING GAIN FOR YEARS, AND ALWAYS WONDERED WHY I WOULD ALWAYS GET A RASH AROUND MY NECK AND BACK AREA. I HAVE SOME LEFT IN THE BASEMENT NOW.

    1. Roberta King says:

      PLEASE ADD ME.

  7. Heidi L Ritchey says:

    I have always used Gain laundry soap. I thought Hains Greenwash would of been safe for my family. Having a toddler, Daughter and a stroke husband. That I least washing clothes with a safe Gain Laundry Soap.

    1. Kyle Miller says:

      I have used Gain for 20 years it always had the best smell but something always felt off with it. Now I see what it was the bacteria that was on the skin. Please add

    2. Tamara Moore says:

      My family has been using gain for quite sometime. Now and I canโ€™t believe this is happening. Maybe this is why it started to break us out and made us itchy

    3. JASON R MAYES says:

      We have been buying gain for years too, thinking it was better for the environment.

  8. Robin Vitale says:

    Yes I was usining Gain for awhile UNTIL I started itching like crazy then as Time went on I started getting very Nauseated to the point of Throwing Up from just the Smell of it..I HAD TO STOP USING ITโ€ฆ..Makes me very SICKโ€ฆ

  9. Esther Ross says:

    Me to I have always used gain for me and my daughter

    1. Peggy Fleming says:

      Yes I have and my husband was diagnosed with a form of cancer and this is concerning please add me to the list

  10. Martha. Batista says:

    please add me. I just got a gain products from Target.

1 โ€ฆ 41 42 43 44 45 โ€ฆ 152

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.