Unilever Gets Claims Cut From Suave Antiperspirant Benzene Suit

Unilever US Inc. must face proposed class claims alleging it deceptively portrayed Suave antiperspirants as safe, but an Illinois federal court dismissed claims alleging the company failed to disclose the presence of benzene.

Yvonne Barnes and others sued in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, saying Unilever failed to comply with federal safety and quality requirements under current Good Manufacturing Practices and knowingly sold “adulterated” products.

The alleged regulatory violations gave rise to California and Illinois consumer protection claims based on allegedly deceptive misrepresentations, as well as claims based on alleged concealment of the carcinogen. Federal ...