‘Made in America’? Brands stretching the truth are facing lawsuits

As President Donald Trump’s tariffs encourage American-manufactured products, some brands are finding themselves in hot water for allegedly trying to stretch the truth.

When one sees a “Made in America” label, they are likely to believe that the product was made from beginning to end in the United States. However, dozens of companies are now being sued after it was discovered that they were allegedly claiming goods manufactured partially overseas are “Made in America.”

Kazerouni Law Group, a California-based law firm, has launched 10 of 13 class action lawsuits against brands such as Goya Foods, French’s Mustard, PepsiCo’s Pure Leaf Teas and Dude Wipes.

“One of the platforms the administration was running on was how important American-made things are,” explained Abbas Kazerounian, founding partner of Kazerouni Law Group. “So the American public has out and out said, ‘This is something that’s important to us.’”

The law firm has previously filed legal action against Olaplex for claiming to be made in the United States, a case that was settled with the company admitting to wrongdoing but paying the firm  $1.05 million in legal fees as well as paying the plaintiff $5,000.

Dude Wipes has spoken about the lawsuit to say they are confident that it will be dismissed, however their male-marketed toiletry products now bear an “Assembled in the U.S.A.” label to more accurately reflect that some parts of the manufacturing process take place in foreign countries.

“The odds are certainly in Kazerounian’s favor. Of the 80 ‘Made in America’ class action suits brought since 2011, only five have been dismissed, according to data from Truth in Advertising,” Daily Mail reported.

Many more brands are changing their advertising methods as a way to continue appealing to those shopping “Made in America” while also attempting to dodge lawsuits of their own.

“The maker of Jeep and Ram vehicles changed a new ad campaign to avoid saying their vehicles were built in America because they contain imported parts,” DM’s article noted.

“I think it’s important to educate the public, and the businesses for that matter, who are more sophisticated than consumers generally, on why these cases are important,” Abbas Kazerounian said of his firm’s work.

Writer/Columnist

Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.

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