Unilever Dove, Axe Stick Deodorant Underfill Claims Advance

Consumers alleging Unilever United States Inc. shortchanges them on stick deodorant raised viable consumer protection claims, a California federal court said.

Nicole Krause-Pettai, Steve Tabu Lanier, and others allege the size of the non-see through packaging of antiperspirants sold under brand names including Dove and Axe made them think they were “getting more product for a similar price” as compared to other brands in smaller packages. But some 40% of the container was non-functional slack-fill, or empty space that serves no purpose, they say.

Inclusion of the products’ net weight on the label doesn’t entitle Unilever to dismissal, Judge Dana ...