Class Action Claims Simple Green ‘Non-Toxic’ Cleaners Contain Harmful Chemicals [UPDATE]
by Erin Shaak
Last Updated on August 2, 2021
Moran v. Sunshine Makers, Inc.
Filed: May 12, 2020 ◆§ 4:20-cv-03242
A class action alleges Simple Green "non-toxic" cleaning products contain ingredients known to cause harm to humans, animals and the environment.
Case Updates
August 2, 2021 – Simple Green Cleaners Class Action Settled for $4.35 Million: File a Claim Today
The proposed class action detailed on this page has been settled for $4.35 million. The deal, which resolves two proposed class action suits, was granted preliminary approval by San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge David Cohn on May 17, 2021.
Who’s covered?If you purchased one or more of the below Simple Green “non-toxic” cleaners between May 12, 2016 and May 17, 2021, you are considered a “class member” and can submit a claim for a piece of the settlement:
- (1) Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner; (2) Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner (Fresh); (3) Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner (Lemon); (4) Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner (Lavender); (5) Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner; (6) Simple Green Oxy Solve House and Siding Cleaner; (7) Simple Green Oxy Solve Concrete and Driveway Cleaner; (8) Simple Green Oxy Solve Deck and Fence Cleaner; (9) Simple Green Wash & Wax; (10) Simple Green All-Purpose Wipes; (11) Simple Green All-Purpose Wipes (Lemon); (12) Simple Green Multi-Purpose Foaming Cleaner; (13) Simple Green Carpet Cleaner; (14) Simple Green Marine All-Purpose Boat Cleaner; (15) Simple Green Heavy Duty BBQ & Grill Cleaner; (16) Simple Green Heavy Duty BBQ & Grill Cleaner (Aerosol); (17) Simple Green Oxy Dog Stain & Odor Oxidizer; (18) Simple Green Bio Dog; (19) Simple Green Advanced Dog Bio Boost Stain & Odor Remover; (20) Simple Green Cat Pet Stain & Odor Remover; and (21) Simple Green Outdoor Odor Eliminator.
How do I file a claim? Claims can be filed online here— https://www.simplegreennontoxicsettlement.com/ClaimForm.dtm. This page also provides information if you want to submit your claim via mail.
How much can I get? Consumers who submit a valid claim without a receipt or proof of purchase can get a maximum of $3 per Simple Green product for up to 10 total products, with a maximum payout of $30. For those who submit a claim with purchase receipts, there is seemingly no cap on the number of Simple Green products for which they could receive $3 each. In addition to monetary compensation, the settlement also requires Simple Green to remove certain representations from the labeling and packaging of the above-listed products.
The total amounts class members can receive from the settlement may increase or decrease proportionally depending on how many claims are filed and how much money is distributed. Payment will be distributed to eligible class members via PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, direct deposit or by check.
When’s the deadline? Valid claims must be filed for the Simple Green class action settlement by August 16, 2021. If you do nothing, you will not get any money from the settlement.
Where can I learn more? Answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the official settlement website—SimpleGreenNonToxicSettlement.com. The settlement administrator can be contacted at 1-877-426-0034.
The court has not ruled in favor of either party, and the settlement was reached so as to avoid the expense and uncertainty of continuing the litigation.
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A class action alleges Simple Green cleaning products contain ingredients known to cause harm to humans, animals and the environment despite defendant Sunshine Maker’s assurance that its formulas are “non-toxic.”
The 32-page case out of California says consumers who view the “non-toxic” claim on Sunshine Maker’s product labels reasonably expect that the cleaning solutions are safe for humans, pets, and the environment. According to the suit, however, Simple Green products contain various harmful chemicals that have been linked to blurred vision, asphyxiation, dizziness, nausea, skin blisters, muscular twitching, headaches, and irregular heartbeat. Additionally, some ingredients are potential carcinogens, the suit alleges.
The case claims that by falsely labeling its products as “non-toxic,” the defendant has sought to capitalize on consumers’ desire for safe cleaning products that do not contain harsh chemicals. As a result of its alleged “greenwash[ing]” scheme, Sunshine Makers has harmed both consumers and its competitors, “over whom Defendant maintains an unfair competitive advantage,” the suit alleges.
“Defendant has reaped many millions of dollars through this fraudulent scheme based on a calculated business decision to put profits over people,” the complaint scathes.
According to the suit, Simple Green products contain a slew of harmful ingredients, including alcohol ethoxylates, sodium carbonate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, surfactants, sodium chloride, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, butane, propane, sodium hydroxide, and cocamidopropyl betaine.
The lawsuit claims the above chemicals can be found in various combinations in the following products:
The case argues that labeling any of the above products as “non-toxic” or “non-toxic formula” when it contains ingredients known to be harmful to humans, animals and the environment is “wholly misleading and deceptive.”
The plaintiff says she would not have purchased the defendant’s Simple Green products, or would have paid less, had she known the cleaners contained harmful ingredients.
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