LG Class Action Says Ovens Are Not Kosher

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A class action lawsuit alleges that LG Electronics misleadingly advertises its 6.3 cubic foot ovens as having a certified Sabbath mode, when in fact LG’s certification was removed because the ovens Sabbath mode violates Jewish law.

The complaint states that due to LG’s conduct, “The Class did not receive the promised (or any) Sabbath Mode feature and many members of the Class have been misled into religious violations on each occasion the Oven has been used at home on the Sabbath.”

The LG false advertising kosher oven class action explains that traditional Jewish law does not allow Jews to operate electronic devices during the Sabbath, which is from sundown on Friday through sundown on Saturday.

The complaint contends that ovens with a “Sabbath mode” feature will stay on but not vary the temperature while that mode is engaged. The class action states that the Sabbath mode feature on an oven is meant to make “it possible for observant Jews to serve warm food on holidays, the underlying principle being that it is permissible to use electricity that is already on but not to turn it on or off during the duration of the holiday.”

However, that is not what the LG Electronics ovens do, according to the consumer protection lawsuit. The complaint asserts that the LG electric ovens do change temperature when the oven door is open—that is, the heating element turns on, which defeats the entire purpose of the “Sabbath mode” feature.

The class action lawsuit also claims that, because of that defect, LG lost its “Star-K” certification. According to the complaint, the Star-K is “a highly reputable organization run by Baltimore’s rabbinical council” which certifies a company’s compliance with Jewish law.

The class action asserts that Star-K decertified these LG ovens, and LG failed to fix the issue. However, the complaint alleges that LG continues to deceptively market its ovens as having the “Star-K” certified Sabbath mode, in violation of consumer protection law.

Plaintiff Brian Foley states that he purchased a oven made by LG Electronics in November of 2015. Foley contends that he “studied the Oven at length prior to purchase and reviewed LG’s statement of the Oven’s features, including the Sabbath Mode.”

Thus, Foley claims that he was aware that LG claimed its Sabbath mode was accurate and certified by Star-K. In addition, Foley alleges that LG failed to warranty and repair his LG oven, which was defective at cooking food on both the top and bottom oven racks at the same time.

The LG lawsuit requests to certify a Class of “all persons and entities nationwide that purchased an Oven, to wit: an LG 6.3 cu. ft. Capacity Electric Single Oven Range, further known as LRE3083ST, LRE3083SW, or LRE3083SB.”

The class action seeks restitution for consumers who purchased an oven with the defective and misleading “Sabbath mode” feature, as well as punitive damages under consumer protection laws.

Foley is represented by attorney Mark Schlachet.

The LG False Advertising Kosher Oven Class Action Lawsuit is Brian Thomas Foley v. LG Electronics USA Inc., et al., Case No. 1:16-cv-01479, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.