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Kirkland Brand Himalayan Pink Salt Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Why: The plaintiff claims that Costco misleadingly labels its Kirkland brand Ground Himalayan Pink Salt.
- Who: A Costco customer sued the wholesale retailer in a class action lawsuit.
- Where: The class action lawsuit was lodged in New York federal court.
A Connecticut resident lodged a class action lawsuit against Costco over its Kirkland brand Ground Himalayan Pink Salt, which allegedly misrepresents its source as “the heart of the Himalayan Mountains.”
The lead plaintiff is Stefany Mogollon who says she bought the product between 2019 and 2021 while living in New York. Mogollon argues that she bought the product based on its claims that it was from “the heart of the Himalayan Mountains” and had the benefits associated with pink Himalayan salt.
However, the Kirkland brand Ground Himalayan Pink Salt’s side label notes that the salt is a product of Pakistan, not actually the “heart of the Himalayan Mountains,” which is supposedly Kumaon, India, according to the complaint.
For this, Mogollon accuses Costco of breach of warranty, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and unjust enrichment. She seeks to represent a New York and Connecticut Class that includes everyone in those states who purchased the product during the statutes of limitations for each alleged cause.
Costco Charges Premium for ‘Fraudulent’ Kirkland Brand Pink Salt
On its front label, Costco’s Kirkland brand Ground Himalayan Pink Salt reads “Referred to as the purest salt in the world, Himalayan Pink Salt comes from the heart of the Himalayan Mountains. With hues of pink, red, and white, these vibrant colors are a sign of the salt’s rich and varying mineral content.”
Deriving its color from the high levels of iron, pink salt from the Himalayas is highly valued due to its supposedly restorative and nutrient properties that stem from its geographical source. The class action complaint notes that according to its Nutrition Facts, Costco’s Ground Himalayan Pink Salt lacks any mineral or nutrient content, in addition to not being from “the heart” of the Himalayas.
The complaint argues that anyone would rely on this label as representing the product within, and that had Mogollon and members of the Class known the truth about the salt, they would not have bought it or bought it at a lower price.
Meanwhile, by labeling the product in this manner, Costco was able to charge a premium price for the product and sell more of it, despite the product being “materially less than” its represented value.
The plaintiff demands Costco corrects the practices in question and removes/corrects the misrepresentations; restitution and disgorgement; monetary damages; statutory and/or punitive damages; and court costs.
Earlier this year, Morton Salt faced similar claims that its Himalayan Pink Salt is falsely advertised and actually mined in Pakistan, hundreds of miles away from the Himalayas.
Do you think Costco should label their Himalayan salt product more clearly? Let us know in the comments section below!
The plaintiff is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates, P.C. and James Chung of Law Office of James Chung.
The Kirkland Brand Himalayan Pink Salt Class Action Lawsuit is Mogollon v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, Case No. 1:21-cv-08361, in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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87 thoughts onKirkland Brand ‘Himalayan’ Pink Salt Source, Benefits Claims False, Says Costco Customer’s Class Action
I started purchasing this salt over a year ago in order to get the benefits of the Himalayan Pink Salt. Like several others have said here, I just recently noticed the change in label saying only “Pink Salt”. I am in California. If possible, I’d like to be added to any class action suit. I’d also like to be notified about any updates regarding this case. Thank you!
I’m here in California too, and I actually noticed the label change and the Pakistan replacing where it was sourced previously stating the Himalayas. So I came to read what was going on. Shocked. I still think Sea Salt is a better salt, but I don’t think any of them actually have Himalayan Sea Salt.
We have been purchasing this for quite some time now and only discovered this class action case when realizing the product no longer said Himalayan and I wanted to find out what was going on. So disappointed. Please add us to the lawsuit.
I’ve been buying this product at Costco for some time, as I am interested in the health benefits of ACTUAL Himalayan Sea Salt. Last week, I reached for the very familiar/nearly identical looking jar at Costco and purchased it. When I got home, I noticed that the label did not read “Himalayan Pink Salt,” but “Pink Salt.” And I saw that the source was now listed as Pakistan. I was disappointed and confused. I assumed that I’d purchased the wrong product and returned it. I was going to see if I could get the “right” product from Costco.com. However, given this suit, I now understand that the product I’d been buying was clearly counterfeit. Very bad reflection on Costco. Please add me to the class action suit. Thank you.
I have been purchasing this salt from Costco for some time, given the health benefits of REAL Himalyan salt and believing Costo’s “Pink Himalayan Salt” label on the jar. When I went to Costco recently, I found the very familiar-looking/nearly identical jar on the shelf and purchased it. It was not until I got home and looked closely at the label and saw that it is now labeled as “Pink Salt.” Also, the side of the jar clearly says that the source is Pakistan. Disappointed and confused, I took it back today. Now I find out that this was a fraud; it actually comes from Pakistan. VERY bad practice by Costco. Please include me in the suit.
Please add me been buying this salt for two years at least and we use a lot. Thinking we are getting actual benefits of real pink salt.
Please add me
Add me
Please add me as well if possible. I am in So. CA. Have significant health concerns so added this to my daily cooking.
QUESTION: Costco has blocked my membership due to the register that checked me out several visits ago was $144 short. Apparently I am the only one whose partial payment was in cash for $144 that particular day. I have never in my life heard of anything like that.
Please add me. I buy this salt allllll the time!!!!
Please add me
Please add me purchase this often