Kirkland Brand ‘Himalayan’ Pink Salt Source, Benefits Claims False, Says Costco Customer’s Class Action

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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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