Filippo Berio Olive Oil Class Action Settlement Deadline Quickly Approaching

Filippo Berio Olive Oil consumers have just a few more days to submit claims for a class action settlement that resolves allegations that certain olive oil products were mislabeled as “Imported from Italy.”

If you purchased Filippo Berio Olive Oil products between May 23, 20110 and June 30, 2015 based on the “Imported from Italy” label, you must file a claim no later than May 2 to benefit from this class action settlement.

Plaintiff Rohini Kumar accused the manufacturer of Filippo Berio brand olive oil of deceiving consumers by labeling certain oils as being “Imported from Italy,” when the back of the label disclosed that “most of the olive oil in the Products originates from olives grown in other countries, then shipped to Italy for blending and bottling before being exported to the United States.”

According to the class action lawsuit, consumers were willing to pay extra for an olive oil that was made in Italy but wouldn’t have paid a premium price if they had known the olives were sourced from other countries.

Defendant Salov North America Corp. tried to have the class action lawsuit dismissed by arguing that just because Kumar felt misled by the label didn’t mean that an entire Class of consumers misunderstood the “Imported from Italy” phrase. In addition, Salov claimed Kumar was an inadequate Class representative.

However, Salov was unsuccessful at convincing the court that the case should get tossed. In July 2016, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers certified a Class of California consumers, moving the case forward. Rounds of mediation followed, ultimately leading to this class action settlement.  

Olive oils covered by this settlement include: Filippo Berio Robusto Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Filippo Berio Delicato Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Filippo Berio Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Filippo Berio Olive Oil and Filippo Berio Light Tasting Olive Oil.

Class Members who purchased any of these products can file a Claim Form for $0.50 per item. Consumers who file a claim will receive a minimum of $2 and a maximum of $5, without proof of purchase. Those who can provide a receipt along with their Claim Form will get an additional $0.50 per can or bottle of Filippo Berio oil that they purchased during the Class period.

In addition to providing a cash payout to Class Members, Salov also agreed to refrain from using the following phrases on their olive oil products: “Imported from Italy,” “Made in Italy,”or “Product of Italy.”

Salov North America denied the allegations and only agreed to settle the class action in order to avoid further cost and risk of ongoing litigation.

To file a claim, click here or visit SNAOliveOilSettlement.com.

Kumar is represented by Adam J. Gutride, Seth A. Safier, Marie McCrary and Kristen G. Simplicio of Gutride Safier LLP, and Hassan A. Zavareei, Jeffrey D. Kaliel and Andrew J. Silver of Tycko & Zavareei LLP.

The Filippo Berio Olive Oil Class Action Lawsuit is Rohini Kumar v. Salov North America Corp., Case No. 4:14-cv-02411, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.