Whole Foods 365 Organic Hot Cocoa class action settlement

Whole Foods agreed to a $650,000 class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims its 365 Organic Hot Cocoa was deceptively packaged with “non-functional slack-fill” or empty space.

The Whole Foods settlement benefits consumers who purchased 365 Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix or 365 Everyday Value Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix from a Whole Foods Market in California between Nov. 3, 2017, and March 13, 2025.

According to the class action lawsuit, Whole Foods sells its hot cocoa in large opaque containers that contain “non-functional empty space.” This empty space allegedly misleads consumers into thinking they are purchasing more cocoa powder than they actually get.

Whole Foods is a grocery store chain that sells a variety of products, including its own “365” brand.

Whole Foods has not admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $650,000 to resolve the class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the Whole Foods hot cocoa class action settlement, class members can receive a proportional share of the net settlement fund. According to the settlement website, each class member is estimated to receive $2.90. Exact payments will vary depending on the number of claims filed and other factors.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Oct. 14, 2025.

The final approval hearing for the Whole Foods settlement is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2025.

To receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Oct. 14, 2025.

Who’s Eligible

Consumers who purchased a 12-ounce canister of “365 Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix” or “365 Everyday Value Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix” from a Whole Foods Market store in California or, if purchased remotely, while in California between Nov. 3, 2017, and March 13, 2025.

Potential Award

An estimated $2.90.

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase is required for the first two claims submitted by a household. However, the claims administrator may require proof of purchase for any additional claims.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

10/14/2025

Case Name

Goodwin v. Whole Foods Market Inc., et al., Case No. 21STCV40456, in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles

Final Hearing

12/03/2025

Settlement Website

GoodwinHotCocoaSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Goodwin Hot Cocoa Settlement
Claims Administrator
P.O. Box 25412
Santa Ana, CA 92799
[email protected]
833-296-0836

Class Counsel

Abbas Kazerounian
Jason Ibey
Gil Melili
KAZEROUNI LAW GROUP APC

Defense Counsel

Brian Blackman
J.T. Wells Blaxter
BLAXTER/BLACKMAN LLP