HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – Coppertone faces a class action lawsuit that alleges it places identical sunscreen in different bottles, then charges extra on the one claiming to be specifically designed for use on a face.
Plaintiff Tonya Akes filed suit July 11 in Connecticut federal court against Beiersdorf, Inc., over Coppertone’s Sport Mineral sunscreen. The packaging has the word “FACE” on it even though what’s inside is nothing special, the suit claims.
The packaging also promises it “Won’t Run Into Eyes.” Consumers looking for protection for their face pay twice as much per ounce for Sport Mineral face, the suit says.
“The truth, however, is that the Coppertone Sport Mineral FACE lotion is exactly the same as the regular Coppertone Sport Mineral lotion,” the suit says. “Defendant is putting the same sunscreen into two different bottles with different labels. Consumers are being deceived and overcharged.”
The suit seeks certification of a nationwide class of consumers and alleges violation of consumer protection laws in California, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Missouri, Washington and Connecticut.
Lawyers at Izard, Kindall & Raabe in West Hartford and Dovel & Luner in California are representing the plaintiff.