$1.5M Welch’s Juice Class Action Settlement Reached, Ending False Health Benefit Claims

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Welch’s Juice Class Action Settlement Overview: 

• Who: Welch Foods Inc. has reached a $1.5 million settlement with consumers.
• Why: The settlement ends a class action lawsuit alleging the company falsely advertises three of its grape juices as being good for heart health when they increase risks of cardiovascular disease.
• Where: The class action was litigated in California.

Welch Foods Inc. has reached a $1.5 million settlement with consumers ending a class action lawsuit alleging the company falsely advertises three of its grape juices as being good for heart health when they in fact increase risks of cardiovascular disease.

Consumers behind the class action lawsuit have called on the California federal court to approve the settlement.

Settlement Includes Welch’s Juice Class Action Rebates

Consumers who purchased Welch’s 100% Grape Juice Concord Grape, 100% Juice Red Sangria and 100% Black Cherry Concord Grape Juice between 2016 and 2021 will be able to claim $1 per product, for up to 12 products without proof of purchase. For consumers with proof of purchase, there will be no cap of the number of claims that can be filed.

The settlement also requires Welch to stop using the challenged claims: “helps support a healthy heart,” and “helps promote a healthy heart,” or any similar claims, on the products for at least two years.

The motion for approval says that the $1.5 million fund will also go toward administration of the settlement, which is estimated at $249,000, and class counsel anticipates requesting a fee of 25 percent of the settlement fund, or about $375,000.

Welch’s Juice Class Action Lawsuit

The settlement follows a class action lawsuit filed in March 2020 by lead plaintiff Curtis Hanson alleging that Welch violated California’s consumer protection and warranty statutes in the advertising of its 100% Grape Juice Concord Grape, 100% Juice Red Sangria and 100% Black Cherry Concord Grape Juice.

The labels on the Welch’s grape juices say that they “help promote” or “help support a healthy heart,” which Hanson said was false and misleading because at levels typically consumed, 100 percent fruit juices increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and are associated with increased all-cause mortality.

Welch has continued to fight the claims and denies the allegations, but has agreed to the settlement terms.

If the Welch’s grape juice settlement is approved, the final approval hearing is expected to be held in March 2022.

This is not the first lawsuit the company has faced over Welch’s juices. In 2019, Welch Foods was hit with a class action from customers who claimed that Welch’s White Grape Juice and Concord Grape Juice contain lead and arsenic.

Late last year, Welch was able to avoid a class action lawsuit that alleged it falsely advertised the first ingredients in its Welch’s Fruit Snacks as fruit.  

Do you buy Welch’s juice due to their advertised health benefits? Tell us how you feel about these false advertising class action lawsuits in the comments section!

Hanson is represented by Jack Fitzgerald, Trevor M. Flynn and Melanie Persinger of Fitzgerald Joseph LLP. 

The Welch’s Grape Juice False Ad Class Action Lawsuit is Hanson v. Welch Foods Inc., Case No. 3:20-cv-02011, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

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