Bloomberg Law
Jan. 31, 2023, 5:59 PM

Asterisk Helps Edgewell Exit ‘Reef Friendly*' Sunscreen Lawsuit

Julie Steinberg
Julie Steinberg
Reporter

Consumers are expected to follow the asterisk on a product label, a federal judge said in ruling that “Reef Friendly*" representations on Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen labels aren’t deceptive, ending a proposed class action.

Sherise Richardson sued Edgewell Personal Care LLC, alleging the “Reef Friendly*” statement on its Hawaiian Tropic products is false and misleading because they contain ingredients that can harm or kill coral reefs and marine life that inhabits them.

Richardson said she didn’t see, or wasn’t aware of the asterisk, which directs consumers to the back of the Hawaiian Tropic label. There it says “*No Oxybenzone or Octinoxate” ...