Following claims of marketing contaminated goods, Clorox agreed on a large compensation. The firm was criticized for selling Pine-Sol-scented surface cleansers tainted with P. Aeruginosa, which can cause severe illnesses and death.
Clorox, known for its wipes, is paying money after a contamination scandal Credit: Alamy
Settlement Terms and Refund Procedures
After Clorox’s lab testing found bacteria in Pine-Sol products, a voluntary recall was issued in 2022. The corporation settled with two New York and California consumers who brought class-action lawsuits while denying any wrongdoing. The $5.56 million deal compensates consumers who bought concerned items between November 1, 2018, and November 15, 2023, a time of increased pandemic-related cleaning, to prevent legal disputes.
Refund requests must be submitted by February 7, with reimbursement plans based on criteria. Compensation is available for most Pine-Sol scented products, including Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, and Lemon Fresh. The settlement excludes Pine-Sol, the original pine-scented cleanser.
Without proof of purchase, consumers can earn $3.57 per product, up to two, totaling $7.14. Proof of purchase allows full refunds. The settlement does not apply to purchases that were refunded.
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Implications for Consumer Rights and Legal Choices
The settlement affects customers’ rights even if they do nothing. File a compensation claim, opt out of the suit to pursue individual legal action, or do nothing and waive the right to sue while forfeiting the reward.
Although ubiquitous in soil and water, P. Aeruginosa can cause infections, especially in healthcare settings and in those with compromised immune systems. According to The New York Times, it is antibiotic-resistant but seldom causes significant illness. No Pine-Sol infections have been connected to the CDC’s 2017 estimate of 2,700 P. Aeruginosa mortality.
This settlement is one of several recent settlements by firms facing legal issues, stressing consumer rights and corporate responsibility. Pine-Sol consumers have until February 7 to decide whether to participate in the legal procedures and receive compensation as Clorox negotiates this settlement.
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