Media
California Jury Awards $2.36 Million Against Bigelow Tea for Misleading “Manufactured in the USA” Labels
April 21, 2025 — A California jury has awarded $2.36 million to a class of consumers in a false advertising lawsuit against Bigelow Tea, finding that the company misled buyers by labeling its products “Manufactured in the USA 100%” despite using imported ingredients and packaging.
The verdict, handed down in April 2025 in Banks v. Bigelow, is among the largest jury awards in recent years involving deceptive “Made in USA” claims. The case challenged Bigelow’s use of domestic origin labeling on tea products that were not fully manufactured with U.S.-sourced components — in violation of California’s consumer protection laws.
The jury’s decision follows a prior judicial ruling that the label was deceptive and “literally false” under California law. The verdict awards monetary damages to California consumers who purchased Bigelow’s tea products bearing the misleading label.
“This is a significant moment for truth in labeling,” said Peter Schneider, who represented the class. “When companies market themselves using patriotic origin claims, those claims must be honest. This verdict affirms that consumers deserve transparency — and accountability.”
The case comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of “Made in USA” labeling. In August 2021, the Federal Trade Commission finalized its Made in USA Labeling Rule, codifying a national standard that such labels must reflect products that are “all or virtually all” made in the United States. The Banks v. Bigelow verdict may signal increased legal exposure for companies using similar marketing tactics without adhering to these standards.
The class was represented by Todd M. Schneider, Peter B. Schneider and Jason H. Kim of Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky and Aubry Wand of the Wand Law Firm PC.
Case Background:
- Case Name: Banks v. Bigelow
- Jurisdiction: Superior Court of California, County of Alameda
- Verdict Date: April 2025
- Award: $2.36 million to a certified class of California consumers
Coverage of the case has appeared in multiple outlets, including:
For more information, interviews, or access to court filings, please contact:
Todd Schneider, Partner
Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky LLP
email: info@schneiderwallace.com
Phone: 1-415-421-7100
website: www.schneiderwallace.com