Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Wal-Mart Stores Inc., alleging the company falsely labels imported items as being made in the United States.
Lead plaintiffs Cathy and Randal Johnson filed the class action lawsuit in Illinois federal court. In it, they accuse the retail giant of deceiving its customers by labeling products as “Made in the USA,” “Assembled In the USA,” or “Origin of Components USA” when they are actually imported. The lead plaintiffs characterize themselves as patriotic and therefore prefer to purchase U.S.-made rather than imported goods and are willing to pay a premium to do so.
According to the Wal-Mart class action lawsuit, “[p]laintiffs purchased items from Defendants’ website to be shipped to their home in the Southern District of Illinois.”
“Plaintiffs are unsophisticated consumers who purchased goods from Defendants’ website for household use,” according to the class action lawsuit, which alleges that “[p]laintiffs are also patriotic Americans who, prefer to purchase goods made in the United States rather than imported goods, and are willing to pay a premium for American made goods.”
“On their website,” the class action lawsuit alleges, “Defendants advertise certain products as being ‘Made in the USA,’ ‘Assembled in the USA,’ and ‘Origin of Components USA.’”
“This is part of their overall ‘Made in the USA’ campaign,” say the plaintiffs, “which is the major advertising strategy of Wal-Mart.”
According to the class action lawsuit, Wal-Mart labels products as made in the USA, but the products allegedly come in packaging that indicates they are imported. The plaintiffs also allege that Wal-Mart does not correctly identify imported components to its products.
According to the class action lawsuit, Wal-Mart’s labeling violates Illinois state fraud and consumer laws and is unpatriotic in addition to violating the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act. “Defendants violated [Illinois law] by placing an icon on their website stating that items were made in the USA when, in fact, they were not,” argue the plaintiffs in the Wal-Mart class action lawsuit. “Defendants have violated this section repeatedly and willfully, intentionally using ‘Made in the USA’ labels to confuse and defraud shoppers,” they continue.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages that include the costs they incurred buying and shipping goods that were allegedly falsely designated as “Made in the USA.” They seek to represent a nationwide Class of customers who were also allegedly deceived. According to the class action lawsuit, the Class the plaintiffs describe in their complaint could be large because more than a million people visit Wal-Mart’s website every day.
In their class action lawsuit, the plaintiffs write that they are pursuing this action “to punish defendants and deter it and others similarly situated from their illegal and unpatriotic conduct.”
Cathy and Randal Johnson are represented by D. Todd Mathews of Gori Julian & Associates PC.
The Wal-Mart “Made In The USA” Mislabeling Class Action Lawsuit is Johnson, et al. v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., et al, Case No. 3:15-cv-00775, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
27 thoughts onClass Action Accuses Wal-Mart of False ‘Made in USA’ Labels
I bought canning jars that have “made in America” printing in the box, but the bottom of the jars are labeled “China” and the glass is inferior…not heavy like it should be. Says it’s made by Anchoglass…
I have been a Wal Mart customer for a long time . I am 52 now and it scares me to wonder how many products they have done this with. For example I was prescribed Zithromax or Zpack a couple of times and now there is a class action for it.But how can they do this. They got enough Money to give us back for the Trouble. The Walton Boys are Wealthy and can give what comes to us.
I have been a Wal Mart customer for a long time . I am 55 now and it scares me to wonder how many products they have done this with. For example I was prescribed Zithromax or Zpack a couple of times and now there is a class action for it.
I’m 52. Typo Above
How long has Walmart cheated us !
THAT IS THE ONLY REASON THEY GOT MY MONEY AND A LOT AT THAT!~
The Walton Family is the wealthiest in the USA. Hummm
This is very UnAMERICAN!
That is crazy. We put our trust in a store that we thought would look out for our benefits but I guess Walmart is not the one. Who can we really trust with our health needs? I have purchased many items as well for my father as well as myself.
Just wrong on so many levels
I have shopped at Wal-mart for a long time . I always get my medicine there ,because it is cheaper . Im very disappointed in them cheating their customers .