Farmers Urge OK for $7 Million Kona Coffee Deception Settlements

Growers of Kona coffee urged a Washington federal court to preliminarily approve settlements with five companies, totaling $7 million, that resolve allegations they misrepresented ordinary coffee as highly desired Kona coffee, deceiving consumers and hurting the growers financially.

The settlement also provides valuable injunctive relief, requiring label changes for products described as containing coffee from the Kona region of Hawaii, the farmers said in a Jan. 29 filing to Judge Robert S. Lasnik of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

The plaintiffs allege suppliers and retailers violated the Lanham Act by misrepresenting the coffee’s origin. Real ...