Costco markets its Kirkland Signature Fish Oil supplements as supporting heart health while failing to disclose their potential risks, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
Plaintiff Donna Costan filed the class action complaint against Costco Wholesale Corporation on Nov. 18 in a California federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.
According to the lawsuit, the retail giant misled consumers by marketing its Kirkland Signature Fish Oil supplements as supporting heart health while failing to disclose potential risks.
Costan claims that Costco falsely advertised its fish oil products with statements like “Helps Support a Healthy Heart.”
However, studies cited in the complaint indicate that omega-3 supplements do not reduce the risk of heart disease or related cardiovascular events and may even increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat, Costan alleges.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with consumers increasingly turning to supplements like fish oil for preventative care, Costan says.
Costco exploited this vulnerability by making unsubstantiated claims about its fish oil’s benefit, she alleges.
Citing research from sources such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and JAMA Cardiology, the lawsuit argues that there is insufficient evidence to support the heart health benefits of...
Costco markets its Kirkland Signature Fish Oil supplements as supporting heart health while failing to disclose their potential risks, a new class action lawsuit alleges. Plaintiff Donna Costan fi...