Unilever
The Latest
Most Deceptive Ads of 2023
Some of the worst ads TINA.org covered this year.
Hair-Raising Claims by Unilever’s Nutrafol Reported to Regulators
TINA.org files complaint with the FDA and FTC over company’s hair growth claims.
Consumer Alert: Hair Growth Products
Supplement and serum companies are targeting consumers experiencing hair loss.
Nutrafol Needs to Shed Its Deceptive Hair Growth Claims
Illegal claims that company’s products prevent hair loss also need to go.
Breyers Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Class-action lawsuit asks: Where’s the mint?
Talenti Gelato
Ingredients contradict claims that frozen dessert is ‘non-GMO, vegan and gluten-free.’
Dove Men ‘Plant-Based Care’
Spoiler: It’s not so much the overall care that is plant-based but rather specific moisturizing ingredients.
TINA’s Take: The Paid Ads Left Out of the Facebook Ad Boycott
It’s disingenuous for brands to suggest they are boycotting a platform and then still run ads on that platform.
By The Numbers: Vanilla Flavor Class-Action Lawsuits
TINA.org is currently tracking 70 class actions challenging claims that a variety of foods and beverages are truly vanilla.
CATrends: ‘Anti Stain’ and ‘Anti Mark’ Antiperspirants
Class-action lawsuits allege antiperspirants’ marketing claims don’t stick.
Class-Action Tracker
Various Dry Shampoos
Allegations: Failing to disclose products contain the carcinogen benzene
Suave 24-hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirants
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as safe without disclosing that they contain the carcinogen benzene
Nutrafol Hair Growth Products
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as “clinically proven” to improve hair growth and prevent shedding
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Drink Mixes
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as containing “No Preservatives”
Nutrafol Products
Allegations: Making misleading claims in the marketing for Nutrafol
Maille Mustards
December 2021: The appeal was voluntarily dismissed, the reason for which has not been disclosed. July 2021: The named plaintiff filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the order dismissing the…
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
Allegations: Falsely marketing that the company uses an ethical supply chain when at least one of its suppliers employs migrant child labor
The Laundress Household Cleaners
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as non-toxic when they contain harmful bacteria
Unilever’s Dry Shampoos
Allegations: Failing to disclose that products may contain the carcinogen benzene
Unilever Products
Allegations: Failing to disclose that products contain the carcinogen benzene
Dove Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant
Allegations: Falsely marketing that products contain natural oil ingredients when the oils in them are synthetic
Several Brands of Unilever Dry Shampoos
Allegations: Failing to disclose products contain high levels of the carcinogen benzene
Several Unilever Brands of Dry and Foam Shampoos
Allegations: Failing to disclose that products contain the carcinogen benzene
Breyers Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as mint ice cream when the ingredients list does not identify any mint ingredients
Suave Antiperspirants
Allegations: Failing to disclose products contain the carcinogen benzene
Various Murad Products
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that products could be used in the eye area when they contain color additives that aren’t safe to use near the eyes
Hellmann’s Olive Oil Mayonnaise Dressing
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing product as made with olive oil
Magnum Vanilla Ice Cream Products
Allegations: Misleadingly representing that vanilla is the exclusive flavoring ingredient when it’s not
Degree MotionSense UltraClear Black + White
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as providing “stain-free protection” and as “anti” white marks and yellow stains when the active ingredient actually causes both
Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream
Allegations: Falsely marketing the exclusive flavoring ingredient is vanilla when most of the flavor does not come from vanilla beans
Degree MotionSense UltraClear Black + White Dryspray Antiperspirant
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that products reduce white marks and yellow stains when they actually cause both
Stain Defense Line of Dove Men + Care
Allegations: Misleadingly representing that products prevent white marks and stains when they actually cause both
Dove Invisible Advanced Care Antiperspirant for Women
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as causing “no white marks on 100 colors” and being “invisible” when the active ingredient actually causes white marks
Suave Professionals Shampoo and Conditioner
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as being able to “nourish” and “replenish” hair and reduce hair loss when the products contain an ingredient – DMDM hydantoin – that causes significant hair…
Dove Men + Care Stain Defense Antiperspirants
Allegations: Deceptively marketing products as “anti yellow stains” and “anti white marks” when the active ingredient actually causes both
Axe Antiperspirants
Allegations: Deceptively marketing that products provide “Anti Marks Protection” when the active ingredient actually causes white marks and yellow stains
Dove Deep Moisture Bodywash
Allegations: Misleadingly advertising bodywash as “microbiome gentle” when it contains ingredients that cause skin reactions, and as containing “skin-natural nourishers” when it contains synthetic ingredients
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoos
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing the benefits shampoos provide
Breyers Delights Vanilla Bean Low Fat Ice Cream
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing ice cream as vanilla
Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel Products
In December 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Murad LLC for allegedly falsely advertising its Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel products as “oil-free” when, according to plaintiffs, the skincare products…
TRESemmé Keratin Hair Shampoos
In November and December 2020, multiple class-action lawsuits were filed against Unilever and Conopco for allegedly falsely representing that TRESemmé keratin hair shampoos – including the Smoothing Shampoo and the…
Packaging of Degree, Dove and Axe
In August 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever for allegedly deceptively using You know when you buy a big bag of chips, and you’re all psyched for a…
Breyers Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
In May 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever for allegedly misleadingly marketing that the flavoring ingredient in Breyers Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream is vanilla when, according to plaintiffs,…
Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream
In April 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever United States, Inc. for allegedly misleadingly marketing that the flavor in Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream comes from vanilla when,…
Breyers Delights Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
In February 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Conopco for allegedly misleadingly marketing that the flavoring ingredient in Breyers delights vanilla bean ice creams is vanilla when, according to…
St. Ives Body Lotions
January 2020: This case was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. for undisclosed reasons. August 2019: A federal judge dismissed some of the…
“Happy Cows” Claims on Ben & Jerry’s Ice Creams
In October 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. and Unilever for allegedly falsely advertising that Ben & Jerry’s ice creams are made with milk…
St. Ives Lotions and Body Washes
In October 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever for allegedly falsely advertising that its St. Ives skin and body care products – including lotions and body washes –…
Dove Invisible Dryspray
October 2019: This case was transferred from state court to federal court. (Case No. 19-cv-2704, E. D. MO.) July 2019: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever for allegedly misleadingly…
Degree MotionSense UltraClear Black + White Women’s Antiperspirants
October 2019: This case was transferred from state court to federal court. (Case No. 19-cv-2726, E. D. MO.) July 2019: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever for allegedly misleadingly…
Degree MotionSense UltraClear Black + White DrySpray
October 2019: This case was transferred from state court to federal court. (Case No. 19-cv-2703, E. D. MO.) July 2019: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever for allegedly falsely…
Axe Anti-Marks Antiperspirants
October 2019: This case was transferred to federal court. (Case No. 19-cv-2723, E. D. MO.) July 2019: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever for allegedly falsely marketing that its…
Breyers Vanilla Ice Cream
In June 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever for allegedly misleadingly marketing several varieties of Breyers vanilla ice creams – including Natural Vanilla, Homemade Vanilla, and French Vanilla…
St. Ives Apricot Scrub
December 2018: A federal judge granted the company’s motion for summary judgment finding that claims regarding the company’s failure to disclose information about the facial scrub failed because plaintiffs did…
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Sprays
In October 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever for allegedly falsely advertising I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Spray as containing “0 calories” and “0g fat” when, according…
Pure Leaf Iced Tea “All Natural” Claims
March 2018: A federal judge dismissed the claims relating to Pepsi’s carbonated soft drinks When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled.…
Breyers Delights Ice Cream
In May 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever for allegedly deceptively advertising Breyers Delights ice creams. Specifically, plaintiffs allege that the company misleadingly markets the products as “light”…
Knorr Pasta Sides Alfredo Products
In May 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Unilever for allegedly deceptively using You know when you buy a big bag of chips, and you’re all psyched for a…
“All Natural” Ben & Jerry’s Products
May 2014: The named plaintiff voluntarily dismissed this action When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed. January 2014:…
Ben & Jerry’s
August 2013: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed. November 2012: This case…
Suave® Products
January 2018: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed. May 2017: A class-action…
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Spray
September 2017: After the Jones appeal was dismissed, the parties agreed to continue the stay in this case pending a U.S. Supreme Court decision in a related case, Briseno v.…
Various Seventh Generation Cleaning and Personal Care Products
July 2017: The appeal was voluntarily dismissed, the reasons for which have not been disclosed. May 2017: An objector filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the settlement approval. April 2017:…
Suave Naturals
December 2016: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not disclosed. August 2014: A class-action lawsuit…
Suave® Professionals Keratin Infusion 30 Day Smoothing Kit
March 2014: The Naiser action was dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled. because the matter was resolved as part…
“TRESemmé Naturals” Shampoos and Conditioners
September 2013: This action was dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled. as to the named plaintiff. The reasons have…
Suave Professionals Keratin Smoothing Kit
March 2016: The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s decision to approve the settlement. July 2014: A federal judge approved the settlement to this lawsuit. February 2014:…
Degree® and Dove® Deodorants
October/November 2015: This action was dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., in accordance with the terms of a Confidential Settlement Agreement. June 2015: A…
TRESemmé Naturals
March 2017: The appeal was voluntarily dismissed, the reasons for which have not been disclosed. November 2016: An objector filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the final approval of the…
Degree® Deodorants
September 2015: A federal judge dismissed this lawsuit. The false advertising claims were dismissed because plaintiffs did not sufficiently allege that advertisements are false and that they relied on such…