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Last week, a class action lawsuit was filed against the Procter & Gamble Co. alleging design defects in Tide Pods, the company’s individually packaged laundry soap, cause permanent stains on white clothing.
Lead plaintiffs Lisa Guariglia, Micheline Byrne and Michele Emanuele allege in their class action lawsuit that “Tide Pods have serious design defects (collectively ‘Design Defects’) that cause them to produce permanent blue/purple stains on white and light colored laundry, even when used as directed by P&G on Tide Pods’ packaging.”
According to the Tide Pods class action lawsuit, each plaintiff began using Tide Pods based on advertising “that Tide Pods were a detergent plus stain remover plus brightener and based on the convenience of the product.” The plaintiffs allege that they each experienced mysterious blue and purple stains on clothing and linens, but couldn’t figure out what was causing the stains for some time and continued to use Tide Pods as directed. The plaintiffs contend that they eventually each discovered the cause of the blue and purple stains were the Tide Pods themselves and allege that the pods caused between $200-$650 worth of damage to their laundry in the process.
“Tide Pods are marketed as a detergent, stain remover, and brightener but, rather than cleaning laundry, removing stains, and brightening laundry, Tide Pods actually have the opposite result, by causing permanent blue/purple stains on white and light colored laundry even when used the proper way according to the package directions,” allege the plaintiffs in their class action lawsuit. “On numerous consumer websites as well as on P&G’s own website, P&G has acknowledged that Tide Pods can cause blue/purple stains on laundry and insists that this staining can only occur when the consumer is not using the product correctly.”
The class action lawsuit also alleges that a February Consumer Reports article pointed out consumer complaints about Tide Pods leaving blue and purple stains. According to the Tide Pods class action lawsuit, P&G responded by telling consumers to not overload their washing machines and to place the pod before loading the machine.
“The responses to the staining complaints reported to the Tide Website regarding Tide Pods are consistent,” the Tide Pods class action lawsuit says. “If the consumer did not state specifically that he or she followed the instructions and placed the pods in the washer first, then P&G’s response is that the pods must be placed in the washer first. If the consumer stated that he or she placed the pods in the washer first, then P&G’s response can contain a number of solutions which include: ‘Do not use ‘Delicate’ cycle for heavy loads; Do not use a quick cycle less than 30 minutes; Pods cannot be used in pre-wash cycles; Do not place in the dispenser drawer; Pods can be used in temperatures ranging from 20 to 95 degrees C (68 to 203 degrees F).’”
“It is important to note that these additional washing directions provided by P&G in response to customer complaints of staining are not included on the Tide Pods packaging, and if a consumer did not become privy to these additional washing instructions (it would most likely be in response to a complaint to P&G of staining),” allege the plaintiff, “it would already be too late to avoid the staining problem and the resulting ruined laundry.” The plaintiffs also alleged that P&G’s responses contradict their advertising about the pods.
The plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide class of consumers as well as New York, California, and Florida subclasses. The class action plaintiffs accuse P&G of breaches of warranty and merchantability as well as of violating various state business laws. They seek damages and attorneys’ fees as well as a court order requiring P&G to include a warning label on Tide Pod packaging about the blue and purple stains.
The plaintiffs are represented Mark Levine and Melissa Emert and Patrice L Bishop.
The Tide Pods Class Action Lawsuit case is Guariglia, et al. v. Procter & Gamble Co., et al., Case No. 2:15-cv-04307, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
UPDATE: On March 14, 2018, a federal judge ruled that Procter & Gamble Co. can’t dodge claims in a class action lawsuit alleging Tide Pods are defective because they are ineffective at cleaning clothes and actually cause stains.
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265 thoughts onP&G Smeared with Class Action Lawsuit over Tide Pods
All of myself/my children’s light clothes have been ruined using these pods
Please add me to the lawsuit. The pods ruined our sheets.
How can I get added to the class-action list?
I would Iike to be added as my clothes have been ruined with stains I can’t get out. I’m 67, followed directions. My load is usually small as I do laundry 2x’s a week
add me
Add me to please ! I have had several shirts ruined that were vineyard vines shirts that are very expensive . Also have had a brand new covered set ruined aswell! They should be able to fix this product! I like them for convince but it’s causing more work to try and get the stains out! Very disappointing.
Add me to please ! I have had several shirts ruined that were vineyard vines shirts that are very expensive . Also have had a brand new covered set ruined aswell! They should be able to fix this product! I like them for convince but it’s causing more work to try and get the stains out! Very disappointing.
Brand new Beddy in white received today and washed with my beloved tide pod that I absolutely love. Put the pod in first, added the bottom portion of the Beddy and now have a blue stain. I have attempted oxiclean and rubbing alcohol (thankfully saw it before I dried it). The stain has lightened, but it is still there. Brand new Beddy – $400!! I could bawl my eyes out about now as I have been saving for months for this.
Add me
Please add me as another customer with blue/purple stains on many white clothes and a new comforter. I was shocked to learn it was from the Tide pods I was using…cost me $150 – $200 in loss!
I’ve had a comforter and numerous pieces of clothing ruined due to the Tide Pods. How do I join the class action
Please add me to the list I have been tricked again by Procter & Gamble especially tied
I would like to be add damage items as well.
ADD ME PLEASE!!! How do I get in on this? I have several dresses & shirts runied