Vi-Jon Hand Sanitizer Consumers Lose Attempt at Class Status

Consumers who alleged Vi-Jon LLC exaggerated the germ-killing abilities of its alcohol-based hand sanitizers can’t proceed as a class because the named plaintiffs aren’t typical of proposed class members and therefore can’t represent them, a federal judge said.

Matthew Macormic and others sued in 2020, challenging representation that the products “kill 99.99% of germs.” The word “germ” refers to organisms that cause disease, yet the products don’t actually kill 99.99% of common organisms that cause disease, making the label deceptive, the plaintiffs said.

The suit was among others filed against hand sanitizer companies following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. ...