Costco class action alleges company falsely advertises its ‘dolphin safe’ tuna

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Costco dolphin safe tuna class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Melinda Wright filed a class action lawsuit against Costco Wholesale Corporation. 
• Why: Wright claims Costco falsely advertises and labels its tuna products as being “DOLPHIN SAFE,” despite using fishing methods which seriously injure and kill dolphins.
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court. 

Costco falsely advertises and labels its tuna products as being “dolphin safe,” despite using fishing methods which seriously injure and kill dolphins, a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

Plaintiff Melinda Wright claims fishing methods used by Costco to produce its tuna products — including its Kirkland Signature White Albacore Tuna in Water—seriously injure and kill thousands of dolphins and other marine animals each year. 

Wright argues further that Costco knowingly and intentionally labels its tuna products as “dolphin safe” in order to capitalize on a desire by consumers to purchase sustainable items. 

Costco also gains an “unfair economic advantage” over competing brands that do in fact sell tuna products that aren’t produced using fishing methods that are harmful to marine life, the Costco class action alleges. 

Costco accused of using deceptive advertising to mislead ‘reasonable’ consumers 

“Through its false and deceptive advertising, Defendant has misled Plaintiff and other reasonable consumers into buying the Product at stores across California and the United States,” states the Costco class action. 

Wright wants to represent a nationwide Class and California subclass of consumers who have purchased Costco’s tuna products — including its Kirkland Signature White Albacore Tuna in Water — within the applicable statute of limitations. 

Wright claims Costco is guilty of unjust enrichment and breach of implied and express warranty, among other things, and is in violation of California’s False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act. 

Plaintiff is demanding a jury trial and requesting injunctive and declaratory relief along with damages, restitution and/or disgorgement for himself and all class members. 

A separate class action lawsuit filed against Costco was dismissed earlier this month, ending claims the company falsely advertised the chocolate content of its Chocolate Almond Dipped Vanilla Ice Cream Bars. 

Have you purchased a tuna product manufactured by Costco? Let us know in the comments! 

The plaintiff is represented by Ryan J. Clarkson, Bahar Sodaify and Christina N. Mirzaie of Clarkson Law Firm PC. 

The Costco ‘dolphin safe’ tuna class action lawsuit is Wright v. Costco Wholesale Corp., Case No. 1:22-cv-04343, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

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