Airborne Settlement Increased up to $30 Million
Airborne, Inc., has settled its case with the Federal Trade Commission over older advertising and labeling of its dietary supplement products. The settlement provides additional funding of up to $6.5 million for consumers who request refunds as part of a class action lawsuit settlement.U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips is considering final approval of the $23.5 million settlement of a class action lawsuit that challenged the older advertising and labeling of Airborne dietary supplements. On November 29, 2007, Judge Phillips entered an order preliminarily approving the proposed class action settlement reached between Airborne, Inc., and the plaintiff, David Wilson of San Bernardino, Calif. The final hearing for the proposed settlement occurred on June 16, 2008.
The enhanced settlement fund of up to $30 million ($23.5 million for the class action settlement and $6.5 million for the recent FTC settlement) will be divided among consumers who joined the class action and filed for refunds; the plaintiff; his attorneys, who include private practitioners in California; and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) in Washington, D.C. A large share of the settlement will be distributed to class action attorneys. The claims administrator will approve and pay individual claims by October 15, 2008.
