Madhava ‘clean’ oils contain toxic chemicals, class action lawsuit claims

Madhava oil class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiffs Josephine Cross and Scott Aschenbrenner filed a class action lawsuit against Madhava Honey Ltd.
• Why: Cross and Aschenbrenner claim Madhava falsely advertises its olive and avocado oils as being “clean” and free of toxic substances.
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

A new class action lawsuit accuses Madhava of falsely advertising its olive and avocado oils as being “clean” and free of toxic substances.

Plaintiffs Josephine Cross and Scott Aschenbrenner claim independent testing has revealed significant levels of toxic phthalates and other dangerous plasticizers in Madhava’s olive and avocado oil products.

Cross and Aschenbrenner argue consumers end up paying a premium price for the products — up to twice the cost of other brands — due to Madhava marketing them as “clean” and “pure.” 

“Madhava’s customers, in turn, are misled into paying more for foods they reasonably believe are safer for their families, only to find out the oils fail to live up to Madhava’s clean promise,” the Madhava oils class action says. 

Cross and Aschenbrenner want to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased Madhava’s olive or avocado oil products with the “clean” label. 

Class action: Madhava’s oils contain toxic substances

Cross and Aschenbrenner argue Madhava’s “clean” oils contain between 18.43 and 850.65 micrograms of phthalates per serving, with levels of certain phthalates approaching or exceeding California’s Proposition 65 limits for chemicals that pose reproductive health risks.

“The health risks associated with phthalates are severe and well-documented, including disruption of reproductive functions of both women and men, birth defects, impaired brain development in children, and more,” the Madhava toxic oils class action says. 

Cross and Aschenbrenner claim Madhava is guilty of unjust enrichment and breach of warranty and of violating California consumer protection laws. 

The plaintiffs demand a jury trial and request declaratory and injunctive relief and an award of monetary and punitive damages for themselves and all class members.

A consumer filed a similar class action lawsuit against Chosen Foods earlier this month over claims the company falsely advertises that its avocado oil is non-genetically modified.

Have you ever purchased Madhava’s olive or avocado oil products labeled as “clean”? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Shireen Clarkson, Bahar Sodaify, Benjamin Fuchs and Meg Berkowitz of Clarkson Law Firm, P.C.

The Madhava oil class action lawsuit is Cross, et al. v. Madhava Honey Ltd., Case No. 2:24-cv-11006 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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