US EditionCostco’s Kirkland Tequila at Center of Class Action Suit
The lawsuit claims Costco sold Kirkland tequilas adulterated with up to 95% non-agave alcohol, violating labeling laws and harming consumers and Mexican agave farmers.
- On Friday, a federal suit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle alleges Kirkland-brand tequilas sold by Costco, Issaquah, Washington, contain nonagave alcohol, representing 13 aggrieved tequila drinkers from Washington and eight other states.
- Plaintiffs say the dispute stems from an Adulterated Tequila Enterprise seeking false certification to market Kirkland as 100% de Agave amid Mexican tequila regulation history relaxing standards to 51%, while Mexican agave farmers complain distilleries use nonagave alcohol.
- Lab results cited in the complaint reveal Kirkland Reposado contained up to 95% nonagave alcohol, Kirkland Signature Blanco up to 40%, and Añejo , Extra Añejo , with Añejo Cristalino out of stock Friday.
- Lawyers say Costco faces federal RICO and state consumer-protection claims, accusing Issaquah, Washington-based Costco of knowingly selling adulterated premium tequilas; Hagens Berman referred questions to its news release, and Costco had not responded by Friday at 5 p.m.
- Related suits and industry disputes show Diageo and 818 Tequila face challenges over testing laboratories and methods, while 100% agave products command higher U.S. premium tequila market prices.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Costco accused of violating RICO Act in tequila class action lawsuit
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A new class action lawsuit filed last week alleges that Costco knowingly sold customers lower-quality tequila than it had advertised. The class action lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court for western Washington District over Costco brand Kirkland Tequila Products, which it argues are falsely labelled as 100% agave. The plaintiffs [...]
The Columbian
Suit claims Costco’s Kirkland tequilas are mixed with low-grade booze
As shoppers stock their liquor cabinets for the holidays, a new lawsuit alleges that some of Costco’s Kirkland-brand tequilas aren’t as premium as their labels might suggest. Read more...
Costco is under legal scrutiny after being sued for allegedly promoting its Kirkland tequilas as produced with 100% Weber blue agave, while recent analyses suggest otherwise. The lawsuit, filed as a collective action in the South District of Florida, raises serious doubts about the accuracy of the information on the labels and its impact on consumers.
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