A settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit filed in 2009 against the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, maker of Eclipse chewing gum and mints.
The lawsuit had alleged misleading advertising about the germ-killing properties of Wrigley's Eclipse products.
"Wrigley has agreed to a settlement of this lawsuit to prevent further distraction to its business and denies any wrongdoing," said Paul Chibe, Wrigley vice president and general manager of U.S. gum and mints, in a press release.
Under the terms of the settlement, Wrigley will create a fund of $6 million (plus up to an additional $1 million if needed to satisfy claims) to reimburse eligible consumers up to $10 for qualified purchases of Eclipse chewing gum and mint products with a "natural germ killing" message, and to cover the other costs associated with the settlement.
In addition, Wrigley will make certain changes to its marketing and labeling of this product.
"Consumers deserve well-supported advertising," said lead co-counsel Timothy Blood of law firm Blood Hurst & O'Reardon.
The settlement is subject to approval by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
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