No Proof: Whole Foods Cocoa $650K Class Action Settlement

Mrs. Gooch’s Natural Food Markets Inc. and Whole Foods Market California Inc.

Consumers who bought a 12-ounce canister of 365 Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix or 365 Everyday Value Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix from a Whole Foods Market store in California or purchased it online while physically in California between Nov. 3, 2017, and March 13, 2025, may qualify to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.

Whole Foods Market California Inc. and Mrs. Gooch’s Natural Food Markets Inc. agreed to pay up to $650,000 to settle a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged the companies sold hot cocoa mix in large, opaque canisters containing nonfunctional empty space, which may have misled California consumers about the amount of product they were buying.

Who is eligible to file a Whole Foods claim?

Class members must meet all of the following criteria:

They purchased at least one 12-ounce canister of 365 Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix or 365 Everyday Value Organic Hot Cocoa Rich Chocolate Flavor Mix.
They purchased the product from a Whole Foods Market store located in California or remotely (such as online) while physically present in California.
The purchase occurred between Nov. 3, 2017, and March 13, 2025.

How much is the hot cocoa payout?

Pro rata payment: Eligible class members who submit a valid and timely claim can receive a cash payment from the settlement fund. The total amount allocated for class member payments is $100,000, which will be distributed on a pro rata basis among all valid claimants. The estimated payment per class member is about $2.90-$4.10, but this amount may change depending on the number of valid claims submitted.

If there are unclaimed funds after the initial distribution, further distributions may be made to class members who cashed their checks or received electronic payments, provided the additional payment is at least $1. Any remaining funds after a second distribution will be donated to the California Association of Food Banks, subject to court approval.

How to claim a class action payment

Class members can file a claim online or download, print and complete the PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator. Claim forms must be submitted online or postmarked by Oct. 14, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Goodwin Hot Cocoa Settlement, ATTN: Claims Administrator, PO Box 25412 Santa Ana, CA 92799

Those who received an email notice with a notice ID and PIN do not need to file a claim. However, they can update their contact information or select their payment method through the settlement website by Dec. 3, 2025.

What documentation is required to submit a claim?

Only one claim may be submitted per person regardless of how many units were purchased.
Proof of purchase is not required for up to two claims per household.
If three or more claims are submitted from the same household, proof of purchase will be required for the third and subsequent claims.
If the claims administrator already has your information, you may not need to submit a claim at all.

Payout options

PayPal
Venmo
Zelle
Virtual prepaid card
Physical check

$650,000 million settlement fund breakdown

The $650,000 settlement fund covers

Settlement administration costs: $92,536
Attorneys' fees and costs: $452,464
Service award to the class representative: Up to $5,000
Payments to class members: $100,000 (distributed pro rata among valid claimants)

Important dates

Deadline to file a claim: Oct. 14, 2025
Opt-out deadline: Oct. 14, 2025
Final approval hearing: Dec. 3, 2025

When is the Goodwin Hot Cocoa Settlement payout date?

Payments will be distributed approximately 30-60 days days after the court grants final approval of the settlement and any appeals are resolved.

Why was there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged Whole Foods Market sold hot cocoa mix in large, opaque canisters with nonfunctional empty space, leading California consumers to believe they were getting more product than they actually received. The claims included negligent misrepresentation and violations of California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law.

Whole Foods Market denied any wrongdoing or violation of law. The parties agreed to settle to avoid the costs, risks and uncertainty of further litigation.