Plaintiff Brigette Hood filed a class action in California federal court claiming Walmart falsely labels its aluminum products as Made in USA, Top Class Actions reported on June 19, 2024.
The claims
- The suit says the products have “significant foreign input” in bauxite, the main raw material for aluminum, which is almost entirely mined outside the USA.
- It says the material is “mined and significantly processed internationally” before being used in the products.
- It cites the FTC standard that unqualified Made in USA products must be all or virtually all made in the USA.
- Claims include the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law, plus warranty and unjust enrichment.
Part of a wave
Hood brought similar suits against Reynolds Consumer Products and Handi-Foil. The Handi-Foil case was dismissed with leave to amend in August 2024, after the judge pointed to California’s safe harbor for small foreign content. The Walmart claims are allegations and have not been proven.
FAQ
What does the suit claim?
That Walmart’s Made in USA aluminum products mislead buyers because the bauxite comes from abroad.
Where was it filed?
In California federal court.
Has Walmart been found liable?
No. These are allegations.
Source & credit
Source: Top Class Actions, June 19, 2024: “Walmart class action alleges aluminum products falsely advertised as made in US”, by Anne Bucher.