About The Whole Foods Hot Cocoa Settlement
All parties have settled a class action lawsuit against Whole Foods Market California Inc. and Mrs. Gooch's Natural Food Markets Inc.
The lawsuit alleged that these companies sold hot cocoa products in deceptively large containers that contained excessive empty space, misleading California consumers about how much product they were purchasing.
Eligible class members can now submit claims to receive their share of the settlement fund. The best part? You generally don't need proof of purchase to file your claim.
Understanding the Slack-Fill Deception Allegations
This lawsuit focuses on what consumer protection attorneys call "non-functional slack-fill," or open space in packaging that serves no legitimate purpose.
According to the class plaintiffs, Whole Foods' hot cocoa canisters were allegedly 44% empty, which means, if true, nearly half the container was just air.
Plaintiffs also say the opaque packaging prevented them from seeing inside containers that felt substantially full in the consumer’s hands.
This practice allegedly violated the California Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, which prohibits containers from being "made, formed, or filled as to be misleading."
While Whole Foods denies any wrongdoing, it agreed to pay $650,000 to settle the claims and avoid the costs and uncertainties of continued litigation.
Alleged Consumer Protection Violations
The Whole Foods hot cocoa class action lawsuit alleges multiple violations of consumer protection laws:
California Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA): Prohibits unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts in consumer transactions. The alleged deceptive packaging violated provisions against misrepresenting product characteristics and quantities.
Unfair Competition Law (UCL): California Business & Professions Code §17200 prohibits unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business practices. Plaintiffs say the slack-fill constituted all three types of prohibited conduct.
False Advertising Law (FAL): This statute makes disseminating untrue or misleading advertising illegal. The product packaging itself served as advertising that allegedly misled consumers about quantity.
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: Federal regulations also prohibit slack-fill unless it serves specific functional purposes, none of which applied to the hot cocoa packaging.
Negligent Misrepresentation: The complaint also included common law claims that Whole Foods failed to exercise reasonable care in how they packaged and presented their products to consumers.
Who Can File a Claim in the Hot Cocoa Settlement?
You may be eligible to submit a claim if you meet these criteria:
- A California resident.
- Purchased 365 Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix or 365 Everyday Value Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix.
- Purchase was from a Whole Foods Market store located in California.
- If you bought online, you were physically present in California when purchasing.
- Purchase occurred between November 3, 2017, and March 13, 2025.
The settlement recognizes that many consumers bought these products multiple times, but limits compensation to ensure fair distribution among all class members.
How to Submit Your Settlement Claim
Filing your claim is straightforward. You have two options:
Online submission: Visit GoodwinHotCocoaSettlement.com to complete your claim electronically. The online form guides you through each step, making the process quick and straightforward.
Mail submission: Download and print the PDF claim form from the settlement website. Complete and mail it to: Goodwin Hot Cocoa Settlement ATTN: Claims Administrator P.O. Box 25412 Santa Ana, CA 92799.
If you received an email notice with a Notice ID and PIN, you're already in the admin system and don't need to file a claim. The claims administrator will process your payment automatically.
However, you should update your contact information or select your preferred payment method through the settlement website by December 3, 2025.
Compensation Structure and Payment Details
The settlement fund allocates $100,000 for distribution among valid claimants.
Based on current estimates, each approved claim will receive approximately $2.90 (this amount could change depending on the total number of claims filed).
Eligibile class members will have several payment options to choose from:
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Zelle
- Virtual prepaid card
- Traditional paper check
If funds remain after the initial distribution, a second round of payments may occur, but only if each additional payment would be at least $1.
Important Deadlines and Key Dates
Mark your calendar with these dates:
October 14, 2025: Deadline to submit your claim. This is also the deadline to opt out of the settlement or file objections.
December 3, 2025: Final approval hearing where the court will decide whether to grant final approval to the settlement.
Payment timeline: Expect to receive your payment approximately 30-60 days after the court grants final approval, assuming no appeals are filed.
The settlement received preliminary approval on June 26, 2025, indicating the court's initial assessment that the agreement is fair and reasonable.
The class period for eligible purchases ended on March 13, 2025.
Proof of Purchase Requirements
This settlement makes claiming easy by not requiring proof of purchase for most claimants.
Here's how it works:
- First two claims per household: No documentation needed.
- Three or more claims from the same household: Proof of purchase required for the third and subsequent claims.
This structure prevents abuse while recognizing that most consumers don't keep years-old grocery receipts.
What Documents You May Need
If your household submits three or more claims, prepare to submit the following documentation with your claim:
- Store receipts showing purchase of 12-ounce canisters of the covered products.
- Credit card or bank statements showing Whole Foods purchases during the class period.
- Any other documentation proving you bought the specific hot cocoa products.
Product Packaging Changes
Beyond monetary compensation, the settlement includes injunctive relief.
Whole Foods has agreed to add a fill line to its hot cocoa labels sold in California. This visual indicator will show consumers approximately how much product sits inside the opaque containers.
With these packaging modifications, future consumers will benefit from clearer information about their purchases, preventing the confusion that led to this lawsuit.
Contact the Settlement Administrator
If you purchased the abovementioned products in California between November 3, 2017, and March 13, 2025, you might be eligible to file a claim.
The settlement administrator’s website can answer most questions about claim submissions or the settlement process.
Phone: 833-296-0836
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address: Goodwin Hot Cocoa Settlement, P.O. Box 25412, Santa Ana, CA, 92799
The October 14, 2025 deadline approaches quickly, so don't delay participating in the settlement fund.
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