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 recent class action lawsuit claims Google Shopping listings for Pine-Sol wrongfully represents the products’ ability to kill germs during the coronavirus pandemic.
Google Shopping is a Google-operated website that includes listings for a variety of products originally listed on other websites.
Plaintiff Judith Golditch says she purchased a two-pack of Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner from the Google Shopping website on March 4.
Golditch says she purchased the products based on representations by Google Shopping that Pine-Sol “kills 99.9% of germs.” Considering the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, these claims reportedly motivated Golditch’s purchasing decisions. But Golditch maintains these advertisements were allegedly false and misleading.
“Despite the Product label and additional representation […] concerning the killing of 99.9% of germs, there are no reliable studies that support the Representations,” the Google Shopping class action lawsuit claims.
Instead of killing 99.9% of germs on surfaces, Pine-Sol is allegedly unable to kill the germs and bacteria that cause serious diseases including influenza, Ebola, norovirus and even coronavirus. Despite this reality, consumers like Golditch are reportedly deceived into believing that using Pine-Sol will protect them from the majority of these diseases.
“Each Representation gives Defendants a competitive edge over many competing products including, by example, competitive products that expressly state that the product is effective in reducing and/or killing only a limited number and/or specified germs,” the Google Shopping class action lawsuit argues.
According to Golditch, Google Shopping was complicit in these misrepresentations since the company allegedly advertised the Pine-Sol cleaners with misleading advertisements.
In addition to being negligent, Google was reportedly malicious in their misrepresentations – knowing that deceiving consumers would result in higher profit margins.
“The Defendants’ marketing of the Product with the Representations is designed to – and did – to the knowledge of Defendants, deceive, mislead and defraud consumers and others that purchased the Product on the Google Website,” Golditch contends in her Google Shopping class action lawsuit.
“The Defendants’ false, deceptive and misleading marketing and sale of the Product has enabled Defendants to sell more of the Product than they would have in the absence Defendants’ misconduct.”
The plaintiff notes that she and other consumers were financially injured by the practice, arguing that they would not have purchased the Pine-Sol cleaner from Google Shopping or would have paid significantly less if the products were not advertised like they were.
In fact, Golditch argues Google was enriched by this practice because consumers like the plaintiff were more willing to purchase the products and pay a higher price.
The Google Shopping class action lawsuit claims Google and the other defendants should return these wrongfully obtained profits.
Golditch argues that the misrepresentations were not only misleading but also unlawful.
Her Google Shopping class action lawsuit accuses Google and the other defendants of unjust enrichment and violation of Massachusetts false advertising laws.
Golditch seeks to represent a Class of consumers who have purchased the Pine-Sol products from Google Shopping since June 16, 2017.
On behalf of herself and these proposed Class Members, Golditch seeks restitution, disgorgement, actual damages, statutory damages, court costs and attorneys’ fees. She also seeks equitable relief ordering the defendants to stop their alleged misrepresentations.
Many companies have faced legal action for allegedly misrepresenting their products – especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Hand sanitizers are one product category allegedly rife with misrepresentations similar to those detailed in the Google Shopping class action lawsuit.
According to the class action lawsuits against Target and Purell, hand sanitizers are mislabeled as capable of killing up to 99.9% of germs. Consumers are allegedly misled by these representations and deceived into believing the products can protect them against serious illnesses such as the coronavirus.
Germ-X has faced similar allegations. The complaint in that case alleges the manufacturer misled consumers about their hand sanitizer’s ability to counteract the flu virus.
The plaintiffs in these cases argue that, while hand sanitizer and other disinfecting methods are generally recommended to keep people safe from bacteria and viruses, there is no scientific evidence available to support specific claims that products can kill “99.9% of germs.”
Did you purchase Pine-Sol or other products on the Google Shopping website because they reportedly killed 99.9% of germs? Share your experiences in the comment section below.
Golditch and the proposed Class are represented by Edward L. Manchur of Manchur Law.
The Google Shopping Pine-Sol Class Action Lawsuit is Judith Golditch v. Alphabet Inc., et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-11142-DJC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
82 thoughts onGoogle Shopping Class Action Says Pine-Sol’s Germ Killing Ad Is Deceptive
Add me. I have owned a janitorial company for 20 years and I have always used Pine- sol .
add me.
I purchased this product many times based on google shoppings recommendations. How disgustingly misleading. Please add me to the list
use this. product all the time add me
This I use a lot. Add me please
Add me
Add me
Add me