Latest news with #KazerouniLawGroup
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Brands are claiming to be 'Made in America' and then they're getting sued
Brands are desperate to emphasize that they are 'Made in America' as President Trump continues to wield tariffs to push for a homegrown manufacturing renaissance. However, some companies have been accused of misleading customers by claiming their product was made in the US, when in fact it was in part made overseas. As a result, dozens of brands are now facing legal action over their advertising and packaging. The litigation is being driven by a California law firm Kazerouni Law Group which has already launched 10 of the 13 class action suits filed so far this year. By comparison there were only seven similar cases brought in the whole of last year, according to consumer advocacy group Truth in Advertising. 'One of the platforms the administration was running on was how important American-made things are,' Abbas Kazerounian, founding partner of Kazerouni Law Group, told the Wall Street Journal. 'So the American public has out and out said, "This is something that's important to us."' Kazerouni's cases allege that popular brands have used that sentiment to sell more products and justify higher prices, without their origins being entirely in the US. High profile consumer goods makers have been drawn in to the fray, including Goya Foods, French's Mustard, PepsiCo's Pure Leaf Teas and Dude Wipes. Only Dude Wipes has spoken publicly of their case, telling the Journal that they are confident it will be dismissed. The brand now puts 'Assembled in the U.S.A.,' on their men's toiletry products, to reflect the fact that some components come from overseas. Last year Kazerounian sued the hair care brand Olaplex, for claiming to be made in the US. The case resulted in a settlement, and while Olaplex does not admit wrongdoing it agreed to pay Kazerouni's $1.05 million fees and give the plaintiff $5,000. Another high profile case, brought by another firm, saw a jury award $2.36 million in April to class action plaintiffs that sued the maker of Bigelow Teas. The case argued that the tea company had inaccurately put 'Manufactured in the USA' on its packaging. The odds are certainly in Kazerounian's favor. Of the 80 'Made in America' class action suits brought since 2011 only five have been dismissed, according to data from Truth in Advertising. Abbas Kazerounian, founding partner of Kazerouni Law Group is leading the legal charge Pure Leaf teas made by PepsiCo have also found themselves in the firing line No juries have ever come out in favor of defending companies either, the group said. Companies are so concerned about the threat of legal action that they are preemptively amending their advertising and packaging materials. The maker of Jeep and Ram vehicles changed a new ad campaign to avoid saying their vehicles were built in America because they contain imported parts. 'I think it's important to educate the public, and the businesses for that matter, who are more sophisticated than consumers generally, on why these cases are important,' Kazerounian concluded.
Wall Street Journal
04-06-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Why 'Made in U.S.A.' Lawsuits Are Surging
A rising number of lawsuits allege household brands of misleading consumers by saying their products are U.S.-made. The litigation is being driven largely by one law firm that saw President Trump's re-election as a green light. 'One of the platforms the administration was running on was how important American-made things are,' said Abbas Kazerounian of California's Kazerouni Law Group. It has filed 10 of 2025's new made-in-America suits. Defendants include: Goya Foods Procter & Gamble's Mielle Organics hair care Pure Leaf Teas from PepsiCo and Unilever French's Mustard maker McCormick Men's toiletries brand Dude Wipes.
