Wellesse Joint Movement Glucosamine Supplements

May 2015: After the final fairness hearing in March, a federal judge granted final approval of this settlement.

February 2015: TINA.org filed an (Latin for “friend of the courts.”) A person or organization that is not a party to a lawsuit but has a significant interest in the case and offers information that may be important to the court’s determination. brief opposing the terms of the proposed settlement as unfair to consumers because it does not remediate the deceptive marketing as alleged in plaintiffs’ complaint. For a summary of TINA.org’s legal efforts in this case, click here. To see TINA.org’s full brief, click here.

The final fairness hearing is scheduled for March 19, 2015.

October 2014: A federal judge preliminarily approved a $3.1 million settlement of this class-action lawsuit. According to the settlement terms, class members may receive a $15 refund for each 16-ounce bottle of Wellesse Joint Movement Glucosamine (JMG) purchased and an $18 refund for each 33-ounce bottle of Wellesse JMG purchased (with a maximum recovery of $100). In addition, the marketers agreed to stop using eight specific phrases (and some related language) on the product labels for a period of three years. The companies’ other forms of marketing, however, will be unaffected.

March 2013: A false advertising class-action lawsuit was filed against the marketers of Wellesse Joint Movement Glucosamine. Specifically, the complaint alleges that the companies advertise that the supplement containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM, will “improve[] joint health” and “protect[] and rebuild[] cartilage tissue” without scientific evidence to support such claims. (Hazlin et al v. Botanical Laboratories, Inc., Schwabe North America, Inc., Botanical Laboratories, L.L.C., and Does 1-20, Case No. 13-cv-00618, S. D. CA.).

For more information about other class-action lawsuits regarding glucosamine and TINA.org’s coverage of the product, click here.