Tag Archives: consumer protection

Setting the Sweet Bar

Metal content sours consumers

Considered one of the largest chocolate companies in the world, Hershey is known for its quality, variety, and most recently, lead content. By acquiring Lily’s brand chocolate, in 2021, the chocolate manufacturing giant expanded its empire. Now, specific dark chocolate products from both Hershey and Lily’s are under scrutiny, as high concentrations of metals have been detected. The results of scientific testing indicate that Hershey’s Special Dark bar and Lily’s 70% bar were elevated in lead; and Lily’s 85% bar was high in lead and cadmium. A class action is seeking $5 million in damages, including $500 per transaction. Continue reading →

Swing in the Legal Direction

Crawling to resolution

Consumers of MamaRoo or RockaRoo baby swings may be entitled to compensation, as a class action has been filed following an August recall. After receiving reports of one 10-month-old infant passing away from asphyxiation and another 10-month-old suffering from bruising around the neck, 4moms, the manufacturing company, pushed for the recall. According to the complaint, the hazards presented do not necessarily impact the infants that may be strapped into the swings, but do create an unsafe environment for crawling infants or toddlers. The straps are designed to hang below the seat, where they are within reach of a child that is on the ground. Continue reading →

Decision Wrinkles a Defense

Smoothing over complaints?

For years, personal care and cosmetics companies have produced advertisements that highlight the need to introduce skincare regimens that may aid in the curbing of probable topical aging. By using their products or services, you may look younger, feel healthier, and reduce the weathering that accompanies the passage of time. L’Oreal, however, is one company that must answer to the complaints reported by customers who claim that two collagen products do not adequately help the anti-aging process of wrinkle care. Continue reading →

Can’t Makeup This Violation

Glossing over guidelines

California is home to one of the most rigid consumer privacy laws in the country. Originally passed in 2018 and later intensified in 2020, the law affords consumers the right to know the extent of information collected by companies online, the ability to have that private data deleted, and the capability to refuse the sale of their information to third party entities. The strength of this law led to the $1.2 million settlement of a civil suit, which pinned the cosmetics company, Sephora Inc., of violating consumer rights. The company failed to comply with the law and allegedly sold customer information without consent. Continue reading →

Company (B)reaches for Resolution

Cyber attack

Boston University is one of several clients that have been subjected to the effects of a data breach involving a likely cyber attack against Creative Services, Inc. The targeted company handles background checks and deals with sensitive personal information, such as an individual’s name, Social Security number, driver’s license number, and date of birth. In response to this breach, which has compromised files from November 2018 through November 2021, four lawsuits have been initiated. The plaintiffs intend to pursue a class action status for their claims. The primary complaint accuses Creative Service, Inc. of failing to provide reasonable security measures to protect client information. Continue reading →