Leeman Settles With LorAnn Oils Re: 4-MEI in Food Extracts

TCG Client Whitney Leeman, Ph.D, has reached a settlement agreement with LorAnn Oils, Inc. in regards to food extracts, flavors, and colorings containing concentrations of 4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI) allegedly sold in California without the requisite health hazard warnings.  4-MEI is a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, and companies selling products that contain 4-MEI must provide consumers with a “clear and reasonable” warning.

In addition to paying $2,400 in civil penalties, LorAnn Oils has agreed to only manufacture, import, or order for sale in the State of California only products reformulated to be virtually free of 4-MEI.

For more details, please see the case summary on our website: Leeman v. LorAnn Oils, Inc.

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years