The GFB: Gluten Free Bar
Below is the timeline of events of the case between ERC and The GFB: Gluten Free Bar.
Notice of Violation I
On January 16, 2020, Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against West Thomas Partners, LLC dba The GFB: Gluten Free Bar.
In this action, ERC alleges that 12 specific products manufactured, distributed, or sold by The GFB: Gluten Free Bar contain lead and/or cadmium, chemicals listed under Proposition 65 as carcinogen and reproductive toxins, and expose consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning. All products have alleged lead, the products with alleged lead and cadmium are in italics, and product with cadmium is in bold.
These products are:
The GFB Gluten Free Oatmeal Coconut + Cashew
The GFB Gluten Free Oatmeal Maple + Raisin
The GFB Gluten Free Bites Chocolate + Cherry + Almond
The GFB Gluten Free Bites Dark Chocolate + Almond
The GFB Gluten Free Bar Cranberry + Toasted Almond
The GFB Gluten Free Bar Dark Chocolate + Almond
The GFB Gluten Free Bar Coconut + Cashew
The GFB Gluten Free Bar Oatmeal + Raisin
The GFB Gluten Free Bar Dark Chocolate + Coconut
The GFB Gluten Free Bar Chocolate + Peanut Butter
The GFB Gluten Free Bar Peanut Butter
The GFB Gluten Free Oatmeal Apple + Cinnamon
Civil Complaint
On May 19, 2020, the Environmental Research Center filed a Civil Complaint against West Thomas Partners LLC individually and dba The GFB Gluten Free Bar. To view the full civil complaint, click here.
Type of Claim:
Failure to Warn
Relief Sought:
Warning
Civil Penalty
Settlement
A settlement was reached on June 8, 2020. In full satisfaction of all potential civil penalties, additional settlement payments, attorney's fees, and costs, West Thomas Partners LLC individually and dba The GFB Gluten Free Bar, shall pay $75,000.00 in total.
Injunctive Relief:
3.1 Beginning thirty (30) days after the Effective Date, or October 1, 2020, whichever date is later (hereafter referred to as the “Compliance Date”), West Thomas Partners shall be permanently enjoined from manufacturing for sale in the State of California, “Distributing into the State of California,” or directly selling in the State of California, any Covered Products which expose a person to a “Daily Lead Exposure Level” of more than 0.5 micrograms of lead per day and/or “Daily Cadmium Exposure Level” of more than 4.1 micrograms of cadmium per day unless it meets the warning requirements under Section 3.2.
If you want to read the full The GFB: Gluten Free Bar settlement, including corrective action click here.