The Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel lawsuit is a class-action lawsuit filed against the company by consumers alleging deceptive advertising and misleading labeling. The lawsuit claims that the company’s “100% Aloe Vera Gel” products, despite their labeling, do not actually contain 100% aloe vera gel.
Key Points of the Lawsuit:
- Misleading Labeling: The lawsuit alleges that the “100% Aloe Vera Gel” labeling is deceptive and misleading, as the product contains other ingredients besides aloe vera gel. This includes stabilizers, preservatives, and thickeners, which are not disclosed on the front label.
- Lack of Aloe Vera: Independent lab tests conducted for the lawsuit showed that some of the Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel products contained little to no detectable levels of acemannan, a key polysaccharide found in aloe vera and considered a marker of its purity and potency.
- Deceptive Advertising: The lawsuit claims that the company’s marketing and advertising promote the product as pure aloe vera gel with various health benefits, misleading consumers into believing they are purchasing a genuine 100% aloe vera product.
Legal Outcome:
The lawsuit was filed in 2017 and reached a settlement in 2020. The terms of the settlement included:
- Fruit of the Earth agreed to pay $2.6 million to settle the claims of false advertising and deceptive labeling.
- The company agreed to modify the product labeling to accurately reflect the ingredients and percentage of aloe vera gel.
- Fruit of the Earth agreed to change its marketing and advertising to avoid misleading consumers about the product’s content and benefits.
Impact and Future Outlook:
The Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel lawsuit highlights the importance of transparency and accurate labeling in the consumer products industry. It serves as a reminder for companies to ensure their products and marketing materials accurately represent their contents and benefits.
The lawsuit also raised awareness about the potential for deceptive labeling and misleading advertising practices in the natural health and beauty industry. This has led to increased scrutiny by consumers and regulatory bodies, encouraging companies to prioritize ethical and transparent practices.
Moving forward, it is important for consumers to be aware of potential misleading labeling and to conduct research before purchasing products with claims of natural ingredients and health benefits. Additionally, companies need to prioritize transparency and compliance with labeling regulations to ensure consumer trust and avoid future legal challenges.
