Fabuloso Settlement Results in $2M Payment Over Bacterial Contamination
Final approval of the $2 million Fabuloso class action settlement is expected in April 2024, providing financial compensation for consumers who paid premium prices for contaminated cleaning products.
A federal judge has granted preliminary approval to a class action lawsuit settlement with Fabuloso manufacturers, which would resolve claims over bacterial contamination problems that resulted in a massive recall earlier this year, due to concerns about that users of the cleaning products may faces serious infection risks.
The Fabuloso settlement agreement (PDF) was announced on November 14, involving three class action lawsuits brought brought on behalf of millions of consumers who paid premium prices for contaminated Fabuloso multi-purpose cleaners.
The lead plaintiffs were Elizabeth Dixon, Jeannie Patora, and Arnold Thomas, who claimed they were deceived about the safety of the products and exposed themselves to harmful bacteria in Fabuloso bottles, which were removed from store shelves due to the serious health risks the products posed for consumers.
In February, the first Fabuloso class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, claiming that Colgate-Palmolive Company improperly, deceptively, and misleadingly labeled and marketed the products to consumers, by failing to disclose the presence of dangerous bacteria.
That claim and two others subsequently filed argued that consumers relied on the product package labeling to make informed purchase decisions, indicating that the manufacture failed to adequately test the products for bacteria before selling them, exposing consumers to the infection causing bacteria.
In addition to seeking damages, plaintiffs also requested the court order Colgate-Palmolive Company to stop selling products until it takes actions to correct advertising materials.
The settlement agreement will allocate $2 million to consumers who purchased Fabuloso cleaning products distributed after December 14, 2022, which may have contained Pseudomonas species bacteria inside of bottles, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
If the settlement receives final approval during a hearing scheduled for April 25, 2024, consumers will be eligible to receive a full refund for up to five products if they provide proof of purchase, and those without proof of purchase may receive the average retail price for up to two products.
Fabuloso Cleaner Recall
The Fabuloso multi-purposed cleaner recall was announced on February 8, affecting five million bottles that the manufacturer acknowledged may contain harmful bacteria, which could cause life-threatening Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection risks for consumers.
The recall impacted bottles of Fabuloso original, concentrated, and bleach-alternative multi-purpose cleaners, as well as professional multi-purpose cleaning and degreasing solutions.
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Learn MoreColgate-Palmolive Company, of New York, manufactured the contaminated products, which were then distributed online and in stores nationwide by several major retailers including, Amazon, Dollar General, Family Dollar, The Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and others. They were sold from December 2022 until January 2023, and retailed for between $1 and $11.
While federal safety officials indicated that no illnesses have been reported in relation to the tainted Fabuloso products, they warn that consumers with weakened immune systems, external medical devices, or underlying lung conditions were at risk of suffering severe or fatal infections.
The bacterial strains found in the cleaners are not dangerous for most healthy individuals, however, they can cause severe and difficult-to-treat infections due to their antibiotic resistance and mutating capabilities. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is also a predominant cause of lung infections among those with cystic fibrosis.
32 Comments
RebeccaJanuary 27, 2025 at 3:07 pm
MY DAUGHTER AND I AND MY ELDERLY MOTHER-IN-LAW HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH OUR LUNGS I'VE USED FABULOSO DAILY FOR MANY YEARS. THIS NOW CAN EXPLAIN THE BACTERIA INFECTIONS WE GET OFTEN. MY DAUGHTER IS 7 TOO YOUN TO BE HAVING THESE TYPES OF ISSUES. I USED THIS PRODUCT YESTERDAY MY DAUGHTER HADN'T COUGHED ALL DAY UNTIL AFTER I USED THIS. HOW IS IT THIS RECALL IS 2 YEARS OLD AND IM JUST FINDING OUT A[Show More]MY DAUGHTER AND I AND MY ELDERLY MOTHER-IN-LAW HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH OUR LUNGS I'VE USED FABULOSO DAILY FOR MANY YEARS. THIS NOW CAN EXPLAIN THE BACTERIA INFECTIONS WE GET OFTEN. MY DAUGHTER IS 7 TOO YOUN TO BE HAVING THESE TYPES OF ISSUES. I USED THIS PRODUCT YESTERDAY MY DAUGHTER HADN'T COUGHED ALL DAY UNTIL AFTER I USED THIS. HOW IS IT THIS RECALL IS 2 YEARS OLD AND IM JUST FINDING OUT ABOUT IT? MY QUESTION- IS THIS RECALL STILL ACTIVE? IF SO, WHY IS THIS PRODUCT STILL AVAILABLE? PLEASE STOP HARMING THE INNOCENT WITH YOUR BIG PROPEAGANDA WE ARE PAYING THE PRICE HEALTH WISE..
DianeJanuary 21, 2025 at 12:04 pm
I just found out about this recall and why in 2024 to I still have almost empty bottles with the recall lot numbers purchased from dollar store and 2 unopened products. I have experienced diarrhea, fatigue, sinus infections, headaches. Is it too late to become a part of lawsuit.
NoemiJanuary 9, 2025 at 9:51 am
I just find out by a TikTok....and I didn't know how my kid ended having this bacteria...now I know ....we are the guinea pigs for the millionaires companies that they sell anything for the money with out any remose..they don't care about us or the consequences that they cause to the people that make them rich...
NoemiJanuary 8, 2025 at 10:55 pm
My kid end up with pseudomonas aeroginosa....and now is everything month with treatments of antibiotics for long time....
PatriciaJanuary 8, 2025 at 12:56 pm
I am the owner of Brazilian Maids in Las Vegas and I used the product for many years. I have throat and lung irritation, difficulty breathing, nasal irritation and congestion. I just found out about the lawsuit. Which steps should I take?
JenJanuary 4, 2025 at 11:17 pm
I have used this product for a few years. Up until August, I have noticed my asthma has changed and I have difficulty breathing after I use Fabuloso. My Dr said don’t use it anymore and just start using white vinegar and water to clean with. Thanks Fabuloso..the only thing that kept my house smelling fresh is now causing Health issues!!!!
TavarisDecember 24, 2024 at 10:52 am
Hi my name is Tavaris Crayton I’m from Orlando Fl didn’t know anything about the Lawsuit until a friend of mine came into my house the other day and said I know you love your fabulous but you need to stop cleaning with it you be always talking about your head and chest hurt and you can’t barely breathe that maybe the reason and she said you know they had a recall on it I happen to look it up and [Show More]Hi my name is Tavaris Crayton I’m from Orlando Fl didn’t know anything about the Lawsuit until a friend of mine came into my house the other day and said I know you love your fabulous but you need to stop cleaning with it you be always talking about your head and chest hurt and you can’t barely breathe that maybe the reason and she said you know they had a recall on it I happen to look it up and she wasn’t lying I been using it for years daily I have 2 bottles right now still so here I am
DonaDecember 23, 2024 at 8:13 pm
I'm on my 4th bottle, I used it frequently to keep my floors , toilet and sinks clean, especially lately I have been nauseous, my stomach always hurts, inflamed and having sinus infection, heart palpitations and out of breath most times. Why am I only hearing about this now? I asked employees at the dollar tree about the lemon disinfectant, and they just say it's a limited supply. Why do they no[Show More]I'm on my 4th bottle, I used it frequently to keep my floors , toilet and sinks clean, especially lately I have been nauseous, my stomach always hurts, inflamed and having sinus infection, heart palpitations and out of breath most times. Why am I only hearing about this now? I asked employees at the dollar tree about the lemon disinfectant, and they just say it's a limited supply. Why do they not know about this and be informed??!!! How can a cleaner be contaminated!? On the label it says it's responsibly made and biodegradable, I'm legit pissed about this level of incompetency!!!
TeresaDecember 18, 2024 at 7:00 pm
This would explain a lot about many issues i have
CynthiaDecember 13, 2024 at 12:47 pm
I had been using this product for years..I smelled a terrible smell while I was cleaning so I smelled the product in the bottle and realized it was the product..then I noticed one of the two bottles exploded from presure..the other bottle was swollen when I picked it up it went all over..for a week I felt sick like a sinus infection and upset stomach..I reported to factory never got any response..[Show More]I had been using this product for years..I smelled a terrible smell while I was cleaning so I smelled the product in the bottle and realized it was the product..then I noticed one of the two bottles exploded from presure..the other bottle was swollen when I picked it up it went all over..for a week I felt sick like a sinus infection and upset stomach..I reported to factory never got any response.. the smell was soooo terrible..
CrystalOctober 28, 2024 at 10:25 am
I have been sick with a bad upper respiratory infection chest hurts from coughing
SteveJanuary 30, 2024 at 6:16 pm
I got the infection last out brake was in nov23 I think k it's in my bloodstream
ReginaJanuary 22, 2024 at 2:42 pm
I HAVE USE THESE FOR YEAR'S AND STILL USE THEM TO THIS DAY!! I DON'T HAVE MY RECEIPT'S.. ONLY PICTURES HOW MY SELF IS STACK WITH THEM.. AND THEY WONT ACCEPT ME TO UP LOAD THEM...
SaraJanuary 21, 2024 at 8:25 am
And we only get a refund out of the product. If possibly infected Oh wow thanks a whopping $3. What about peace of mind.? Can they Refund that ? What they should do pay for a dang dr visit for a thorough body scan and bloodwork The $3 refund is least of the concern
LindaJanuary 3, 2024 at 2:11 pm
I have used this product for years, and now I understand why I always felt bad after using it on a daily basis for cleaning floors PLEASE ADD ME TO THE LIST
PaigeDecember 24, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Me and my family use this product weekly and have been for years. What do we do?
RebeccaNovember 29, 2023 at 4:14 pm
I have used fabuloso for years and was never alerted to its contamination of bacteria. As a result, many sinus infections, throat infections a d respiratory infections, were not tested for any chemical contributions to these illnesses.
TheresaNovember 23, 2023 at 6:57 am
I used fabulous all the time. Still have two bottles in my cabinet
ShanaNovember 20, 2023 at 12:41 am
I brought this 25 time didn't know it had a recall so what do I do.
HattieNovember 19, 2023 at 10:20 pm
I’m going to go ahead with the plan
AngelaNovember 19, 2023 at 7:25 pm
I use that all the time should I get checked I'm ALLways haveing problumes breathing
DeliaNovember 19, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Used Fabuloso for years. Have fabuloso in my cabinet today.
MaryNovember 19, 2023 at 1:04 am
I believe I am in this lawsuit with Fabuloso as I became very ill during the time the product was contaminated and was hospitalized and I am a faithful user of this product and should be compensated
EbonyNovember 19, 2023 at 12:27 am
I use this product
AnnetteNovember 18, 2023 at 9:20 pm
I believe I have been exposed to chemicals from using Fabolous !🤔🤨 And recently purchased a bottle and now I'm seeing this article ! Wow ! I've been feeling bad someday after cleaning but thought nothing of it until now.
SueNovember 18, 2023 at 5:57 pm
I buy that product by the gal and have for years
MarcellaNovember 18, 2023 at 4:56 pm
I saw an article recently about this.
AlexisNovember 18, 2023 at 3:26 pm
This is scary I'm just not hearing about that I've been a regular user a fabuloso for years
LatashaNovember 18, 2023 at 3:06 pm
I was using the fabloussa
KanikaNovember 18, 2023 at 1:24 pm
I use these products and still use them. They still on the shelf at the store. I buy them every two weeks to clean my home
TalikaNovember 18, 2023 at 11:19 am
I've been using fabulouso for a very long time but never heard of any contamination or bacterial happening untill I read this page on newsbreak. I just wanna know can I still file for compensation just in case something like this does happen to my family
MichelleNovember 18, 2023 at 9:56 am
I been using fabulous products that explain why my copd has been flared up bad I had to go to the urgent care because I couldn't breathe