To be honest, in today’s day and age, you should not be trusting any company or brand out there blindly. Like, there are so many brands out there that sell products with really catchy and sometimes false titles or claims, but in reality, that is not the case. And this is pretty much what we’re seeing with this HexClad Lawsuit, where people thought that they were receiving the cookware without any PFAS or PFOA, but that was just far from the truth. So let’s see, eventually, what became of this case and where things stand now.
What Were HexClad’s Claims?
The main selling point was something straightforward: cookware that offers the advantages of stainless steel and, likewise, provides the benefits of nonstick. According to the manufacturer, these pans were professional-grade; they cleaned with ease and also did not pose any threats from the likes of PFAS or PFOA. For context, PFAS are lifeless, aka non-organic chemicals that, in many instances, are associated with health risks such as cancer and fertility problems. So, when a brand purposely claims to be “PFAS-free,” that said itself was a monumental statement. On top of this, Gordon Ramsay endorsing it and Costco selling it saw the name “HexClad” rocket into cookware stardom.
Where Did Things Go Wrong?
There began the problem, as consumers started to question the “non-toxic” label. Upon investigation, it was found that HexClad pans actually contained PTFE, which in a way is a type of PFAS. This was against the whole advertising of being PFAS-free. In other words, the pans had been marketed as safe with the very chemicals they were saying were never in there at all. The lawsuit claimed that this was misleading and deceptive in that PFAS are known to stay both in the body and in the environment.
Key Dates of the Lawsuit
Here’s a quick look at the important timeline:
- 2023: Lawsuit filed in California.
- Feb 1, 2022 to Mar 31, 2024: Products sold in this period are part of the case.
- April 2025: Court granted preliminary approval for a settlement.
- Aug 5, 2025: Deadline to file objections.
- Sept 15, 2025: Final settlement hearing date.
- Nov 14, 2025: Last day to file a claim for compensation.
What’s in the Settlement?
The settlement fund contains $2.5 million. If you bought the HexClad pans or a set within the eligible period, you can file for compensation. The amount you get hinges on how many claims are filed and the cost of the product.
- For 1-2 items, no proof of purchase is required.
- For 3 or more items, receipts or order confirmations are necessary.
Furthermore, HexClad has agreed to stop using marketing recipe terms such as “non-toxic” or “PFAS-free” unless they are able to fully and easily demonstrate their validity.
The Legal Details
For those who want to dig deeper into all this, well, the official case is Cliburn, et al. v. One Source to Market LLC d/b/a HexClad Cookware Inc., Case No. 23STCV28390. The matter is before the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles. The settlement administrator processes claims and provides updates. In order to check eligibility or file a claim, feel free to visit the official settlement website.
What Does This Mean for Consumers?
If you bought the HexClad products within the eligible dates, it is worth filing a claim before the expiration of the suit on November 14, 2025. More importantly, this suit is a reminder that marketing claims like “non-toxic” or “green” need to be viewed with care.
So, ceramic pans can be a good choice for safe cookware alternatives since PFAS is not used. But apart from cookware, this case comes as a consumer-trust disclaimer. Companies must be accosted for whatever they promise, and customers should always get to the bottom of the fine print.
