Method Cleaning Products Class Action Says ‘Natural’ Label is False

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A proposed class action lawsuit claims that Method cleaning products are falsely advertised and labeled as containing natural or naturally derived ingredients when they are actually made from harmful synthetic ingredients.

Plaintiff Keith Daughtery of New York filed a false advertising class action lawsuit against People Against Dirty, the owner of Method Products, last Friday.

Daughtery alleges the household cleaning product company misrepresents that its Method cleaning products are “natural” and/or “naturally derived” when in fact they contain unnatural ingredients and chemicals that are artificial, synthetic, and highly processed.

In particular, he says he has been purchasing Method cleaning products for the last three years, specifically Method Naturally Derived Foaming Hand Wash, Method Natural All-Purpose Surface Cleaning Spray, and Method Naturally Derived 4X Concentrated Laundry Detergent.

When purchasing the products, Daughtery claims he read and relied on the prominent representation on the front of the products’ labels that the items were comprised of “natural” and/or “naturally derived” ingredients.

Among the 17 products listed in this Method false advertising lawsuit, each reportedly contains one or more of the following ingredients that are unnatural or highly processed: citric acid, benzyl alcohol, butylene glycol, glycerin, lactic acid, colorant, and fragrance, etc.

The lawsuit also contends that Method knowingly and negligently employed a marketing strategy designed to intentionally deceive customers.

This allegedly deceptive advertising practice allows the company to charge a premium price for their cleaning products, stimulating sales and enhancing profits.

“[Daughtery] would not have purchased Defendants’ Products or would not have paid as much for the Products, had he known that the Products were not ‘Natural’ and/or ‘Naturally Derived’, but in fact contain artificial, synthetic, and/or highly processed ingredients,” the lawsuit states.

Daughtery brings this action individually and as a class action consisting of a nationwide class of consumers who purchased Method cleaning products for personal use and not for resale. He also seeks to represent of New York subclass.

According to the lawsuit, Daughtery is requesting damages and equitable relief for violations of New York consumer protection laws and unjust enrichment.

He is also asking the court to grant an injunctive order prohibiting Method from advertising or selling their cleaning products as being “natural” or “naturally derived.”

This is not the only legal action Method is facing over its product labeling and advertising. In September, another New York city consumer, Wesley Vincent, filed a consumer class action lawsuit against Method alleging its cleaning products actually contain a number of synthetic ingredients.

Vincent is seeking to represent a certified nationwide Class of consumers who purchased Method cleaning products believing they were “natural” and “non-toxic.”

Daughtery is represented by Jeffrey J. Sherrin of O’Connell & Aronowitz PC and Lori G. Feldman of Levi & Korsinsky LLP.

The Method Cleaning Products False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit is Daughtery v. Method Products PBC et al., Case No. 1:16-cv-1226-MAD/DJS in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.