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GNC faces a class action lawsuit alleging the nutrition retailer falsely labels its Aloe Vera Skin Gel as containing 99 percent aloe, when in fact it “contains no actual Aloe Vera at all.”
Plaintiff Thera Lambert argues that, “the product’s label is false, deceptive, and misleading, in violation of the Federal Drug and Cosmetics Act and its parallel state statues, and almost every state warranty, consumer protection, and product labeling law in the United States.”
Lambert says she bought GNC’s aloe vera for the proposed relief of sunburn and general skin healing. The lawsuit claims she relied on the product’s “true” representation and accurate product label to cement her decision in purchasing the product.
Moreover, the purported label of the product and in that it contains 99 percent Aloe Vera led her to that specific purchase decision.
According to the lawsuit, the origins of Aloe Vera gel come from an extract of an Aloe Vera plant species whose scientific name is, Aloe Barbadensis. Also, included as a dominant ingredient in Aloe Vera gel is “Aloe barbadensis Leaf Juice.” Known worldwide for its sunburn relief, it has even been believed to treat such things as the common cold and hypertension when consumed.
However, when the plaintiff had the product tested for Aloe Vera, the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (H-NMR), which was used to locate the ingredient, allegedly found no such thing.
“The results show that it does not contain any Aloe Vera or Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice. Furthermore, Acemannan, a signature Aloe Vera chemical component that indicates the presence of Aloe, was not detected in the sample of GNC’s product,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit further quotes from the International Aloe Science Council who state that “products that do not contain Acemannan are not considered to be true aloe vera.”
The plaintiff contends that she would “not have purchased the product had she known that the product did not contain Aloe Vera.”
Accordingly, Lambert says she has sustained monetary damages from being misled into buying Aloe Vera gel that contains no Aloe Vera. The product consequently bears no value and the defendants’ misrepresentation has been deemed fraudulent by the plaintiff and as such, unlawful, unfair, and deceitful.
Lambert seeks to represent GNC customers in California, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey and New York who purchased the Aloe Vera product for personal use.
The plaintiff is represented by Katrina Carroll, Kyle A. Shamberg and Ismael Salam of Lite DePalma Greenberg LLC; Nick Suciu III of Barbat, Mansour & Suciu PLLC; Jonathan Shub of Kohn, Swift & Graf PC; Jason Thompson and Amy L. Marino of Sommers Schwartz PC; Brian J. Wanca and Jeffrey Berman of Anderson + Wanca; Jason T. Brown and Patrick S. Almonrode of The JTB Law Group LLC; Gregory F. Coleman of Greg Coleman Law PC; Michael F. Ram and Susan Brown of Ram, Olson, Cereghino & Kopczynski LLP; Rachel Soffin and Jonathan B. Cohen of Morgan & Morgan Complex Litigation Group; Donald J. Enright and Lori G. Feldman of Levi and Korsinsky LLP; and Samuel J. Strauss of Turke & Strauss LLP.
The GNC Aloe Vera Class Action Lawsuit is Thera Lambert v. General Nutrition Corporation, Case No. 1:17-cv-02149, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
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54 thoughts onGNC Class Action Says Aloe Vera Skin Gel Contains No Aloe
I too have used this ALOE VERA GEL from GNC for years and was very satisfied with it
.I would buy it again if available,because it worked for me.
I just tried to replace an almost empty tube and was very disappointed when I couldn’t find it
Add me I still have the tube
I have purchased this brand of Aloe gel for many years, it’s been wonderful for burns, cuts, etc. Please bring this product back.
I was truly disappointed when I attempted to purchase some, from a GNC store in Akron, Ohio. The
store clerk said they were told to pull all tubes off the shelf, but, refuse to tell me why.
I have burned myself several times, (I am a light-skinned African American female) and have faithfully purchased this product for the last 10 or more years because it got rid of any burns or bruises I sustained. I lived by it, and, also, would purchase some for family members who also used it when needed.
One persons opinion should not affect others who use the product.
PLEASE BRING THIS PRODUCT BACK TO GNC, AND take care of the individual who says she had
a problem with the advertising because there was no aloe vera in the product.
Like others have commented above, Aloe Vera WORKS!
PLEASE BRING IT BACK,
Thank you
I have used this product for years!!! I don’t care what’s in it…. it is the only thing that has helped with my oily, acne prone, middle aged skin!! I love it!! Please, just repackage/label and keep selling!!!
You can purchase a better value of Aloe Vera Gel at your local wal-mart, it is 100% Aloe Vera Gel and it’s called Fruit of the Earth, bigger size and less costly than the former GNC brand, you will love it!! GOD BLESS!!!!
This is a great product. It healed acne and many blemishes overnight. I am saddened that it is off the market now.
oh no, no wonder it is not selling anymore. have bought this product for my daughter’s acne for at least 2 years and even introduced it to friends. worked well for them , am now very disappointed we cant find it at any counter.
I don’t understand why they would embellish to that extent, wow about to give natural products a go.
Omg im starting to think i shouldnt buy from GNC anymore if its not one thing its another. I had gotten this product for a sun burn yrs ago did many times but than a friend turn me on to the real plant. So much better and soothing. But this isnt the only product from GNC ive gotten that just to find out is fake. Wow