60 Day Notice 2016-00835

AG Number: 
2016-00835
Notice PDF: 
Date Filed: 
08/11/2016
Noticing Party: 
Erika McCartney
Plaintiff Attorney: 
Robert B. Hancock
Alleged Violators: 
Whole Foods Market California, Inc.
Mrs. Gooch’s Natural Foods Products, Inc.
Chemicals: 
Lead
Source: 
Himalayan Bulk Goji Berries

60-Day Notice Document

Civil Complaint
AG Number:
2016-00835
Complaint PDF: 
Date Filed:
10/28/2016
Case Name: 
McCartney v. Whole Foods Market California, Inc.
Court Name: 
San Francisco Superior Court
Court Docket Number: 
CGC-16-555096
Plaintiff: 
Erika McCartney
Plaintiff Attorney: 
Robert B. Hancock
Defendant: 
Whole Foods Market California, Inc.
Mrs. Gooch’s Natural Foods Products, Inc.
Type of Claim: 
Failure to Warn
Relief Sought: 
Warning
Civil Penalty
Contact Name: 
Robert B. Hancock
Contact Organization: 
PACIFIC JUSTICE CENTER
Email Address:
Address: 
50 California St. Ste. 1500
City, State, Zip:
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone Number:
415-310-1940
Settlement
AG Number:
2016-00835
Settlement PDF: 
Settlement Date:
01/10/2019
Case Name: 
McCartney v. Whole Foods Market California, Inc.
Court Name: 
San Francisco Superior Court
Court Docket Number: 
CGC-16-555096
Plaintiff: 
Erika McCartney
Plaintiff Attorney: 
Elizabeth D. Sonnichsen
Defendant: 
Whole Foods Market California, Inc.
Mrs. Gooch's Natural Food Markets, Inc.
Injunctive Relief: 
Defendant shall be permanently enjoined from Distributing into California (as defined) the Covered Product unless the label contains a clear and reasonable warning, as specified.
*Non-Contingent Civil Penalty:
$ 22,500.00
Attorney(s) Fees and Costs:
$ 47,500.00
Payment in Lieu of Penalty:
$ 0.00
Total Payments:
$ 70,000.00
Will settlement be submitted to court?
Yes
Contact Name: 
Elizabeth D. Sonnichsen
Contact Organization: 
Pacific Justice Center
Email Address:
liz@rbhancocklaw.com
Address: 
50 California Street, Suite 1500
City, State, Zip:
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone Number:
(415) 310-1940
Judgment
AG Number:
2016-00835
Judgment PDF: 
Judgment Date:
03/22/2019
Settlement reported to AG: 
Thu, 01/10/2019
Case Name: 
McCartney v. Whole Foods Market California, Inc.
Court Name: 
San Francisco Superior Court
Court Docket Number: 
CGC-16-555096
Plaintiff: 
Erika McCartney
Plaintiff Attorney: 
James Wheaton
Lowell Chow
Nathaniel Kane
April Strauss
Defendant: 
Whole Foods Market California, Inc.
Mrs. Gooch's Natural Food Markets, Inc.
Injunctive Relief: 
Defendants shall be permanently enjoined from Distributing into California (as defined) the Covered Product unless the label contains a clear and reasonable warning, as specified.
*Non-Contingent Civil Penalty:
$ 22,500.00
Attorney(s) Fees and Costs:
$ 40,000.00
Payment in Lieu of Penalty:
$ 0.00
Total Payments:
$ 62,500.00
Is Judgment Pursuant to Settlement?
Yes
Contact Name: 
Lowell Chow
Contact Organization: 
Environmental Law Foundation
Email Address:
lchow@envirolaw.org
Address: 
1222 Preservation Park Way, Suite 200
City, State, Zip:
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone Number:
510-208-4555


* A non-contingent civil penalty is the civil penalty that must be paid pursuant to the settlement, regardless of future events or actions of the defendant. If a settlement includes a contingent penalty, the plaintiff should report the additional penalty amount when it becomes due.