Barlean’s $1.6 Million Coconut Oil False-Ad Deal Gets First Nod

A $1.6 million class settlement resolving allegations that Barlean’s Organic Oils LLC deceptively portrayed coconut oils as healthful got an early nod from a California federal judge.

Michael Testone, Collin Shanks, and Lamartine Pierre challenged marketing statements such as “Coconut Oil: A Smart Fat.” They alleged Barlean’s deceptively positions coconut oil products as a healthy alternative to butter and various cooking oils, when it’s actually less healthful because of a high saturated fat content.

• The consumers won certification of New York and California classes last year.
• Barlean’s also agreed to stop using the challenged marketing statements for five years.
• Judge ...