Natura pet food buyers can claim $200
Lawsuit settlement entitles people who bought the pet food between 2005 and 2011 to make a claim
A federal court judge has preliminarily approved a $2.15 million settlement to a class action lawsuit against Natura Pet Products that alleges the manufacturer misrepresented the quality of its pet food.
Natura has admitted no wrongdoing in the case but considers a settlement desirable because it "will bring to an end the expense and burdens associated with continued litigation," according to court documents. Natura officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Class-action members include all U.S. residents who purchased any Natura product between March 20, 2005, and July 8, 2011. These products include Innova, Evo, California Natural, Healthwise, Mother Nature and Karma dog and cat food.
The lawsuit, filed in March 2009, alleges Natura's website and labeling contain "a large number of misleading and false statements relating primarily to assertions concerning the human-grade quality of its food." The plaintiff alleged that these statements included such claims as "We only use ingredients you'd eat yourself," "All of our human grade dog and cat foods are carefully cooked and tested..." and "Natura's products use only human grade ingredients."
As part of the settlement, which U.S. District Judge Jeremy Fogel preliminarily approved earlier this month, Natura would stop promoting its pet food products as human grade, human quality or as something that "you would eat yourself."
Natura also would establish a $2.15 million settlement fund. The settlement fund will be used to make payments to class members, as well as cover attorneys' fees, costs and expenses.
Class members include all U.S. residents who purchased any Natura product between March 20, 2005, and July 8, 2011. These products include Innova, Evo, California Natural, Healthwise, Mother Nature and Karma dog and cat food.
Members may be eligible for a payment of up to $200. To be eligible for a payment, class members must submit a claim form, available at PetProductsSettlement.com, by Jan. 8, 2012.
A final fairness hearing is set for Feb. 17, 2012, at the District Court for the Northern District of California. At that time, the court will determine whether to grant final approval of the settlement.
Contact the writer: 714-796-2310 or sgowen@ocregister.com
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Natura Pet Products Class Action Settlement Of Innova, EVO, California Natural, HealthWise, Mother Nature & Karma Dog or Cat Food Product Class Action Lawsuit
If you purchased Innova, EVO, California Natural, HealthWise, Mother Nature, or Karma dog or cat food products, you could get a payment from a class action settlement.
A federal judge has entered an order for preliminary approval of a class action settlement of a class action lawsuit against Natura Pet Products, Inc. (“Natura Pet Products” or “Natura” or “Defendant”) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (captioned Judy Ko v. Natura Pet Prodcuts, Inc., Civil Action Case No. C 09-02619 JF), alleging, among other things, that Natura violated California’s Business and Professions Code when advertising their dog and cat food products and allegedly made false and misleading statements about the human grade quality of its food in its advertisements, promotional materials and labeling.
For purposes of the Natura Pet Products settlement, Judge Fogel certified a class of persons defined as follows:
All persons residing in the United States who purchased any Natura Product for personal, family, or household purposes (the “Class”) during the time period from March 20, 2005 to July 8, 2011 (the “Class Period”).
All Innova, EVO, California Natural, HealthWise, Mother Nature, and Karma dog and cat food products are reportedly included in the Natura Pet Products settlement.
A $2,150,000 settlement fund will be reportedly created by Natura under the class action settlement. The settlement fund will be used to make payments to settlement Class Members, as well as cover attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, a payment to the Class Representative and the costs associated with administering the settlement. Natura will also reportedly stop promoting its pet food products as human grade, human quality, or as something that you would eat yourself. To get a payment (of up to $200), settlement class members must submit a claim form by January 8, 2012.
The Court will hold a Fairness Hearing at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 17, 2012, at the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, 280 S. 1st Street, San Jose, California 95113 to consider whether the Natura Pet Products settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate.
For more information on the Natura Pet Products Innova, EVO, California Natural, HealthWise, Mother Nature & Karma Dog or Cat Food Product class action settlement, visit the Ko v. Natura Pet Products, Inc. class action settlement website:
www.petproductssettlement.com
If You Have Thoughts On The Natura Pet Products Innova, EVO, California Natural, HealthWise, Mother Nature & Karma Dog or Cat Food Product Class Action Settlement, Share Your Class Action Settlement Comments Below.
Editor's note.... Timing is EVERYTHING?! There is another recall in progress of these products. See: http://www.silvieon4.com/2013/06/natura-pet-issues-voluntary-recall-of.html
