The Honest Company is Under Fire for Alleged Deceptive Labeling

Jessica Alba’s The Honest Company has come under fire over the past year as consumers claimed that products contained ingredients that contradict their “organic” and “natural” labels.

There are currently several class actions pending in federal courts against The Honest Company that were consolidated into The Honest Company Multi District Lawsuits is In Re: The Honest Company Inc., Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, MDL No. 2719, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, U.S. District Judge André Birotte is presiding over the pending actions. Another related class action lawsuit brought by two New York residents in New York District Court.

In these lawsuits, consumers accused The Honest Company of deceptively advertising its products, including laundry detergent, children’s toothpaste, and soap, as natural, plant-based, and free of harsh chemicals. Most of the lawsuits allege that The Honest Company’s laundry detergent, dish soap and multiple-surface cleaner contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate the skin, despite statements by the company that it doesn’t use the harsh chemical.

The Margarian Law Firm is investigating similar claims on comparable products for being labeled as “natural” when they allegedly contain synthetic and harmful chemicals.

The personal care products, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Neutrogena sunscreen, Kimberly Clark’s CeraVe baby sunscreen, Weleda’s bath and body products, and Kiss My Face bath and body wash, have come under The Margarian Law Firm’s investigation for making “natural” claims on their products when, in fact, those products contain one or more of the well-known synthetic chemicals. The list of synthetic ingredients includes: phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, lactic acid, citric acid, xanthan gum, coco glucoside, tocopheol, linalool, farnesol, cetyl alcohol, and many others. These synthetic substances have allegedly been linked to illness in infants and adults.

The claimed “natural” products are advertised as a natural alternative to more conventional personal care products, and thus, cost more than other brands. Because of the suspicion that chemical, synthetic, or non-natural ingredients cause harm, many people are willing to pay more for products that are advertised as being “natural,” “certified natural,” or “naturally sourced ingredients.”

Including synthetic ingredients in a product that labeled “natural” is both misleading and against FDA regulations.

A class action lawsuit could help consumers get their money back for the products they purchased. Furthermore, a class action could help hold these companies accountable, and ensure appropriate labels are used in the future.

The Margarian Law Firm has successfully represented thousands of clients on a wide spectrum of different matters for over ten years. The attorneys in the consumer rights division are able to handle a wide range of consumer claims and concerns, including false or misleading advertising and marketing, deceptive and unfair business practices, along with other types of complex litigation. The attorneys at the Margarian Law Firm are skilled in different areas of law and able to serve various legal needs of all clients in state and federal courts.