Method Class Action Alleges Cleaners Not ‘Natural’ or ‘Non-toxic’

A class action lawsuit alleges that Method cleaning products contain synthetic and harmful ingredients, and therefore are not “natural” or “non-toxic” like they claim on the label.

The complaint filed against the owner of Method cleaning products, People Against Dirty PBC, contends that the company has violated consumer protection statutes in all 50 states, as well as the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

“Defendant misleadingly, inaccurately, and deceptively presents their Products to consumers,” according to the class action complaint.

The class action also asserts that, “[i]f not for Defendant’s misrepresentations, Plaintiff and Class Members would not have been willing to purchase the Products at a premium price.”

The Method false advertising class action lawsuit states that the market for “natural” products has grown since many consumers try to avoid using products that have synthetic or artificial ingredients.

The complaint asserts that Method products are taking advantage of consumers willing to pay a premium price for “natural” cleaners, when in fact Method cleaning products contain synthetic substances.

The class action claims that the defendant’s deceptive advertising occurs on most Method cleaning products, including its foaming hand wash, gel hand wash, dish soap, bathroom tub + tile cleaner, all purpose surface cleaner, fabric softener, and nine other products.

The complaint takes issue with People Against Dirty’s use of the terms “natural,” “naturally derived,” “non-toxic,” and/or “hypoallergenic.”

The class action argues that contrary to those “prominent” statements on the front packaging of its products, Method cleaners in fact “contain various artificial and synthetic ingredients, some of which are hazardous, toxic, and synthetic, and have the potential to cause an allergic reaction or irritation.”

At least 13 ingredients in various Method cleaning products are synthetic and artificial, according to the Method “natural” false advertising class action lawsuit.

Those substances include tocopheryl acetate, a “synthetic, inert ingredient used pre and post-harvest as an ingredient in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest.”

The class action claims that another ingredient, propylene glycol, “does not occur in nature” and “is manufactured by treating propylene with chlorinated water to form the chlorohydrin which is converted to the glycol by treatment with sodium carbonate solution.”

Even though all of the synthetic ingredients are listed on the back of the Method product packaging, the class action argues that the average consumer does not know those ingredients are artificial.

In addition, the ingredient list on the back does not cure the prominent use of terms such as “natural” and “hypoallergenic” on the front of the packaging, the complaint contends.

Plaintiff Wesley Vincent states that he purchased Method products from a Target in New York in May of 2016.

Vincent claims that he paid more for the Method cleaners because of the statements that they were “natural” and “non-toxic,” and he would not have purchased them had he known the truth.

The Method lawsuit seeks to certify a Class of all persons who purchased a Method cleaning product anywhere in the United States.

The complaint asks for restitution, treble damages under state consumer protection laws, and punitive damages. The class action also requests to certify a separate injunctive Class, requiring People Against Dirty change its business practices.

Vincent is represented by Jason P. Sultzer of The Sultzer Law Group, P.C.

The Method “Natural” False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit is Wesley Vincent v. People Against Dirty PBC, Case No. 7:16-cv-06936, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

UPDATE: The Method “Natural” Products Class Action Settlement is now open! Click here to file a claim. 

UPDATE 2: On Nov. 6, 2017, Top Class Actions viewers who filed a claim for the Method cleaning products class action settlement started receiving checks in the mail worth as much as $53.53. Congratulations to everyone who got PAID!