Closed
Barlean's Coconut Oil Settlement
The claim window closed on January 19, 2023. The court granted final approval in March 2023, and payments were distributed that spring.
Case record
- Case
- Testone, et al. v. Barlean's Organic Oils, LLC
- Case no.
- 3:19-cv-00169-RBM-BGS
- Court
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- Defendant
- Barlean's Organic Oils, LLC
- Administrator
- Kroll Settlement Administration
- Settlement fund
- $1,612,500
The case
What this settlement was about
This class action claimed that Barlean's violated California, New York, and federal law by marketing its coconut oils as healthy, implying they were healthful alternatives to butter and other fats, when the products are predominantly saturated fat. Plaintiffs alleged the health claims led consumers to buy the products and pay more for them.
The case was litigated for about four years after its January 2019 filing, and followed an earlier related case over the same marketing. Barlean's denied the allegations but agreed to a $1,612,500 common fund.
Beyond the cash payments, the settlement included injunctive relief: Barlean's was barred from using the challenged health and wellness marketing claims for five years, absent a change in law. The class period spanned nearly eight years, one of the longer periods for a food-labeling settlement.
The class
Who was covered
All persons who purchased, for personal use, Barlean's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (16, 32, or 60 oz.), Organic Culinary Coconut Oil (32 or 60 oz.), or Organic Butter Flavored Coconut Oil (16 or 32 oz.) in the United States between January 24, 2015 and November 10, 2022.
- What class members could receive$3 to $7 per container depending on size, up to 5 containers without proof of purchase, unlimited containers with receipts. Payments were adjusted pro rata based on total claims.
- Proof requirementMost class members could file without proof of purchase.
- Claim deadlinePassed on Jan 19, 2023. New claims are no longer accepted.
Docket timeline
How the settlement unfolded
- January 24, 2019Class action filed
Michael Testone and co-plaintiffs sued Barlean's in the Southern District of California.
- November 10, 2022Preliminary approval
Preliminary approval also closed the class period, purchases through this date qualified.
- January 19, 2023Claim deadline
Claims could be filed online or postmarked by this date; opt-outs and objections were due the same day.
- March 6, 2023Final approval
Final judgment was entered after the March 3, 2023 fairness hearing, and the case was terminated.
- April 2023Payments distributed
Class members reported settlement payments arriving in spring 2023, some up to about $383 with proof of purchase.
Questions people still ask
Frequently asked questions
Can I still file a Barlean's coconut oil claim?
No. The deadline to file was January 19, 2023, and the settlement received final approval in March 2023. Payments went out in spring 2023.
How much did the Barlean's settlement pay?
Between $3 and $7 per container depending on size, up to 5 containers without receipts, or unlimited containers with proof of purchase. Some claimants with receipts reported payments of several hundred dollars.
What was misleading about the coconut oil marketing?
The lawsuit alleged Barlean's marketed its coconut oils as healthy alternatives to butter and other fats even though the products are predominantly saturated fat, deceiving consumers into buying them and paying a premium.
Did the settlement change how Barlean's markets its products?
Yes. Alongside the cash fund, Barlean's agreed not to use the challenged health and wellness marketing claims for five years, absent a change in law.
Who administered the settlement?
Kroll Settlement Administration ran the claims process. The official website at barleanscoconutoilsettlement.com was retired after the settlement wound down; this page preserves its record.
Sources for this record
Official site barleanscoconutoilsettlement.com has been retired. Record preserved by TapClaim.
