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3 clusters · 5 sources · 21 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: BUSINESS · HEALTH

Costco legal challenges

Entities: Costco Wholesale Corp. · Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corp. · Washington state · U.S. District Court (Seattle) · Washington (state)

Overview

In early July 2024, Costco Wholesale faced a lawsuit alleging its protein powder contained hazardous heavy metals, raising product‑safety concerns. Later that month, two lawsuits in Washington state targeted the retailer: a civil suit alleging wrongful termination and discrimination, and a class‑action accusing Costco of violating Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act and Consumer Protection Act by sending deceptive email subject lines. Costco agreed to a $14 million settlement to resolve the email case, pending court approval.

In July 2026, Costco formalized that $14 million settlement. The agreement provides equal payouts to eligible Washington residents who received the disputed emails between June 2021 and July 2026, after deductions for attorneys’ fees and costs. Claimants must file by August 30, 2026 (some reports cite August 24). A Seattle federal judge will consider final approval on October 9, 2026. Payments may be issued by check, Venmo, PayPal, or other electronic methods. Costco maintains it did not commit wrongdoing but chose to settle.

Timeline

  1. about 10 hours ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Costco to Pay $14 Million Settlement Over Misleading Emails to Washington Shoppers

    Costco will pay $14 million to settle a Washington class‑action over deceptive promotional emails, with eligible shoppers filing claims by late August for a share of the fund.

  2. 2 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Costco Faces Washington Lawsuits Over Employment Practices and Misleading Emails

    Costco faces an employment lawsuit by Michael Aaland and a $14 million settlement over misleading email promotions in Washington, pending court approval.

  3. 21 days ago

    [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Costco sued over protein powder containing dangerous heavy metals

    A U.S. class‑action lawsuit alleges Costco sold Orgain protein powder with unsafe levels of lead, arsenic and cadmium, citing independent tests that exceed safety limits.

Sources

archynewsy.com · brand-studio.fortune.com · recentlyheard.com · tastingtable.com · timesng.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history