Safeway Olive Oils

March 2018: A state judge granted final approval of the settlement agreement.

October 2017: A state judge preliminarily approved a settlement of this lawsuit. According to the settlement terms, class members with proof of purchase may receive either a voucher or a cash refund for each product purchased, and class members without proof of purchase may receive either a voucher or cash refund for up to five product purchased. The amount of the refunds/vouchers depends on the product(s) that was/were purchased. In addition, the company agreed to only use the phrase “Imported from Italy” for olive oils made from 100% Italian olives, to bottle its Safeway Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil in green and brown glass containers, and to use a “best buy” or “use by” date no later than 18 months after the date of bottling. A final fairness hearing is scheduled for March 16, 2018.

May 2016: A state judge certified the class in a false advertising lawsuit filed against Safeway Inc. The complaint, which was originally filed in 2014, alleges that the company deceptively represents that its olive oil products are made from olives grown or pressed in Italy when, according to plaintiffs, the oil is made from olives that are grown and pressed in other countries. In addition, the complaint claims that the company deceptively represents that the oil is “Extra Virgin” when, according to plaintiffs, the oil comes in a clear bottle that exposes the oil to sunlight, which causes it to degrade and, as a result, the oil is not “Extra Virgin” for the period specified on product labels. (Kumar et al v. Safeway Inc., Case No. RG14726707, California State Courts – Alameda County)

For more information about other class-action lawsuits regarding olive oil products and TINA.org’s coverage of them, click here.