Walmart class action claims ‘reef friendly’ sunscreen actually harmful to coral reefs

Walmart class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Nicole Argenzio filed a class action lawsuit against Walmart Inc.
• Why: Argenzio claims Walmart misrepresents its Equate sunscreen product as “reef friendly” even though it contains ingredients harmful to coral reefs.
• Where: The Walmart class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court.

Walmart Inc. markets Equate-brand sunscreen as “reef friendly” even though it contains active ingredients harmful to coral reefs, according to a Walmart class action lawsuit filed May 3 in New York federal court.

Plaintiff Nicole Argenzio says she purchased Walmart reef friendly sunscreen because she relied on the representations on the product’s label and packaging. She believed the “reef friendly” language on the product label meant the sunscreen would not harm reefs when worn in open waters.

Walmart reef friendly sunscreen labeling is misleading, plaintiff argues

The Walmart reef-friendly sunscreen product includes a blue icon that states “Reef Friendly**” with an image of coral below. The asterisks next to the words correspond to a smaller statement in the lower corner of the bottle indicating the product is free of octinoxate, oxybenzone and parabens.

Early studies identified these three ingredients as “posing existential harm to coral reefs,” but recent research indicates other ingredients pose an equivalent or greater threat to coral reefs, according to the Walmart class action lawsuit.

Among these harmful chemicals are avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene, which are reportedly disclosed as active ingredients in fine print on the back of the Walmart reef safe sunscreen container.

Some of the product’s “inactive” ingredients are also harmful to coral reefs, Argenzio says.

However, consumers are typically unaware of the true qualities of a product’s ingredients and rely on product labels when making purchasing decisions, according to the Walmart class action lawsuit.

Argenzio points to New York’s adoption of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which was implemented to protect consumers and encourage honest product marketing. She claims the Walmart reef friendly sunscreen labeling overstates its environmental benefits and fails to inform consumers the product’s active and inactive ingredients are harmful to reefs.

Walmart charges a premium price for its Walmart reef friendly sunscreen as a result of its false and misleading representations about the product, Argenzio says. She claims she would not have purchased the product, or would not have paid as much for it, had she known the sunscreen contained ingredients harmful to coral reefs.

Target Corp. faces a similar class action lawsuit alleging it falsely advertises its sunscreen as “reef-conscious” even though it contains ingredients harmful to coral reefs.

What do you think of the allegations that Walmart reef friendly sunscreen contains ingredients harmful to coral reefs? Let us know in the comments.

Argenzio is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC.

The Walmart reef friendly sunscreen class action lawsuit is Nicole Argenzio v. Walmart Inc., Case No. 2:24-cv-03302, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Central Islip.

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