Published
July 28, 2025
Updated
August 3, 2026
This Whole Foods settlement resolves claims that opaque 365-brand hot cocoa canisters contained misleading empty space; approved California claimants have moved into the payment stage.
Current Status
Claims are closed. The filing deadline was October 14, 2025, the court granted final approval on January 26, 2026, and the settlement administrator began issuing payments to approved claimants on April 29, 2026. No new claims can be submitted.StatusPayments in progress
Claim deadlineOctober 14, 2025
Total settlementUp to $650,000
Consumer payment pool$100,000 pro rata
What the Lawsuit Alleged
The lawsuit alleged that 12-ounce canisters of 365 Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix and 365 Everyday Value Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix contained nonfunctional empty space. Because the canisters were opaque, the complaint claimed California shoppers could be misled about the quantity of cocoa mix inside.Whole Foods Market California and Mrs. Gooch's Natural Food Markets denied wrongdoing. The settlement resolved the case without a trial or admission of liability.
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Who Was Included
The class covered people who purchased a qualifying 12-ounce hot cocoa canister from a Whole Foods Market store in California, or bought one remotely while physically present in California, from November 3, 2017, through March 13, 2025.How Payments Were Calculated
Approved claimants share a $100,000 consumer payment pool on a pro rata basis. The notice estimated an individual payment of about $2.90, but the actual amount depends on the number of valid claims and the settlement's allocation terms.No proof of purchase was required for the first two product claims associated with a household. Proof could be required for a third or later product claim from the same household. Some directly notified class members already known to the administrator did not need to submit a new claim form.
What the Rest of the Fund Covers
The settlement's maximum $650,000 amount also covers court-approved notice and administration expenses, attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and a service award. The entire amount was not reserved for consumer checks.Packaging Relief
In addition to cash relief, the agreement required packaging changes intended to make the product level clearer to California consumers. That nonmonetary term addresses the slack-fill allegation going forward.What Approved Claimants Should Do
Approved claimants should keep their claim confirmation and payment records and use the official settlement website for administrator updates. Open Class Actions cannot validate a claim, reissue a payment, or change a claimant's delivery method.Official Information
Review updates and court documents on the Goodwin Hot Cocoa Settlement website.
Settlement Amount
Up to $650,000
Case Title
Goodwin v. Whole Foods Market, Inc., et al.
Case Number
21STCV40456
Court
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles
Final Approval
January 26, 2026
Administrator
Simpluris
Official Website
Goodwin Hot Cocoa Settlement
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