Pyrex Measuring Cup Markings Come Off in Dishwasher Class Action

Pyrex tempered-glass measuring cups, made by Instant Brands, LLC, have long been known for their resistance to heat and longevity. But the complaint for this class action alleges that more recently Pyrex measuring cups lose their markings in the dishwasher, which makes them useless for their original purpose.

Two classes have been defined for this action:

• The Florida and Illinois Class is all persons in Florida and Illinois who bought the product during the applicable statutes of limitations.
• The Consumer Fraud Multi-State Class is all persons in Alabama, Montana, Alaska, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Mississippi, Utah, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia who bought the product during the applicable statutes of limitations.

Pyrex originated in 1908 when the Corning Glass Works developed an earlier product called Nonex, which could withstand hot temperatures without breaking. The complaint alleges Nonex was used for battery jars and railroad lanterns, but that the glass was eventually adapted for oven dishes and called Pyrex. The complaint alleges, “Additional applications of this unique glass were developed, such as the iconic Pyrex measuring cup, with red markings that did not degrade during the cleaning process.”

Pyrex measuring cups have been marketed, in the past and present, as being dishwasher safe, the complaint alleges. The complaint points out, “Dishwashers apply detergent, heat, hot water, and steam to remove food debris.” The complaint reproduces images of the “dishwasher safe” representation from retailers and from the Instant Brands website. According to the complaint, a description elsewhere on the website describes Pyrex measuring cups as being made of “[d]urable high-quality tempered glass” and being “dishwasher [] safe.”

But the complaint alleges that the measuring cups are not dishwasher safe because the red measurement markings fade and wear off when the cups are washed in the dishwasher, which means that the cups can no longer be used for their intended purpose of measurement. “According to hundreds of customer complaints,” the complaint alleges, “the markings can often disappear in as little as one wash.”

This lowered quality is recent, the complaint alleges, with markings on older cups lasting for years but markings from at least the past three years disappearing. The complaint alleges, “The causes are due in part to use of lower quality glass and marking materials.”

According to the complaint, then, the product is not dishwasher safe, and to market it that way to consumers is “unfair and deceptive.”

The product comes with a two-year warranty, but the complaint alleges that the warranty only offers replacement if it breaks due to oven heat. The complaint contends, “For the measuring cups which are not used in ovens, the warranty is misleading and without value.”

Article Type: Lawsuit
Topic: Consumer
Tags: Deceptive Advertising, Dishwasher Safe Claims