Hot Cocoa Class Action Settlement, Claim with No Receipts!

If you purchased the specified hot cocoa from Whole Foods Market in California between after 2017, you may be entitled to a cash payment. The settlement is known as the Goodwin Hot Cocoa Settlement, Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. 21STCV40456.

Looking for a complete list and explanation? Start here:class action settlements with no proof of purchase.

Understanding the Hot Cocoa Settlement

Overview of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit is based on the allegation that Whole Foods mislabeled the product in question. In other words, the cannisters were allegedly not completely filled. These kinds of claims are also known as slack-filled. The container is much larger with empty space, making the consumer believe they’re getting more than what is actually in there. Plaintiff alleges that defendant negligently misrepresented the Product and violated California law, including the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law, by selling the Product in California with alleged non-functional slack-fill.

Eligible Consumers

All persons who purchased:

one or more 12 oz cannister 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 — either located within California or, if purchased remotely (such as online), while present in California
during the Class Period of November 3, 2017 to March 13, 2025.

How the Settlement Works

Eligibility: Only consumers who purchased the specific product in the location indicated during the contested timeframe can file a claim.
Filing a Claim: Class participants can submit a claim to receive their share. Keep in mind the payout is distributed on a pro-rata basis, meaning how much each person gets depends on the total number of claims filed.
Deadline: All claims must be submitted by October 14, 2025, to ensure eligibility for any potential payout.

Next Steps: For those eligible, review the claim process early and gather any necessary purchase documentation to support your filing.

How do I file a claim?

They encourage eligible people to file online. You will need:

your name
address
email
phone
payment method (choose from Mastercard, Paypal, Venmo, Zelle or paper check by mail)
declare under penalty of perjury that your claim is true and valid

According to the official settlement, only those who did not receive an email with a Notice ID and PIN are required to file a claim. If you did receive an email with a Notice ID and PIN, your claim was already filed for you and you do not need to file again. You can, however, use your Notice ID and PIN to change or update your address or information if needed.

Is a receipt required?

Proof of purchase is not required.

How much will I get back?

The prorated settlement check amount will be approximately $2.90; this is only an estimate.

The exact amount Settlement Class Members will receive depends on how many Valid Claims are received by the Claims Administrator.

During the lawsuit timeframe, the product’s retail price ranged from approximately $3.49 to $5.49.

It is estimated that payments will be made within 30 days of February 3, 2026, or before.

What’s the deadline to file a claim?

If you believe you are a Settlement Class Member and wish to receive a cash payment, you must submit a valid Claim Form. All Claim Forms must be submitted no later than October 14, 2025.

What is a class action lawsuit settlement?

For example, a class action lawsuit is one with multiple plaintiffs. In other words, more than one person is represented by the lawsuit. In other words, plaintiff(s) file the case on behalf of many people who were affected by but aren’t involved in the actual suit. For example, if you purchased an item that later was determined to be involved in a class action lawsuit, you may be entitled to compensation. If you’re included in the class (group) affected, you can file a claim to receive money, coupons, or replacement products. But, each case is different, and each will specify who is included. In addition, class action lawsuits may require proof that you are part of the group of affected people. In this case, proof of purchase, receipts, or other specified documentation is needed. However, in some cases, no proof is required. In that case, you can file a claim without proving that you are part of the class of people affected. Of course, when you file a claim you are doing so under penalty of perjury. So, do not file if you do not qualify.