Rael Pads Lawsuit, False Advertising Claims Target "Natural" Feminine Products

A class action lawsuit filed against Rael Inc. in January 2023 alleges the company falsely marketed its Natural Feminine Wipes as “natural” despite containing multiple synthetic ingredients including phenoxyethanol, polysorbate 20, sodium benzoate, citric acid, and ethylhexylglycerin. The case remains pending in California federal court.

The lawsuit specifically targets Rael’s feminine wipes, though plaintiff Sarah Blansette notes this may not be an exhaustive list of allegedly mislabeled products under the brand.

What the Rael Lawsuit Alleges

The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court Northern District of California (Case No. 4:23-cv-00006-DMR), accuses Rael of violating state and federal consumer laws. Consumers allegedly paid premium prices for products labeled “natural” that contained artificial substances.

Plaintiff Sarah Blansette purchased Rael Natural Feminine Wipes multiple times at California retailers, most recently in April 2021 from a Target store in Napa for approximately $6.00.

The lawsuit claims Rael’s plant-like logo and explicit website claims about natural and organic sources led reasonable consumers to believe products contained no synthetic ingredients.

Synthetic Ingredients at Issue

The lawsuit identifies eight synthetic ingredients allegedly found in Rael products: phenoxyethanol, polysorbate-20, sodium benzoate, citric acid, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-hexanediol, and butylene glycol.

According to the complaint, consumers are “willing to pay, and have paid, a premium for products branded ‘natural’ over products that contain synthetic ingredients.”

Who Can Join the Rael Lawsuit

Blansette seeks to represent a nationwide class of Rael consumers plus multistate consumers from California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Washington.

If you purchased Rael Natural Feminine Wipes during the applicable statute of limitations period, you may qualify to join the lawsuit.

Eligibility criteria include:

Purchased Rael Natural Feminine Wipes
Made purchase in one of the specified states
Purchased during the class period
Relied on “natural” labeling when making purchase decision

Rael Pads Lawsuit, False Advertising Claims Target "Natural" Feminine Products—What Consumers Need to Know

Evidence Needed to Prove Your Claim

To support a claim in the Rael lawsuit, consumers should gather:

Purchase receipts showing Rael Natural Feminine Wipes transactions
Product packaging with “natural” labeling
Store location and purchase date documentation
Credit card or bank statements showing Rael purchases
Photos of product labels

Current Lawsuit Status

The case was filed January 3, 2023, in California federal court. The plaintiff is represented by J. Ryan Gustafson of Good Gustafson Aumais LLP, Amir Shenaq of Shenaq PC, and Steffan T.

The lawsuit seeks class certification, damages, fees, costs, and a jury trial. No settlement has been announced as of November 2025.

Settlement and Compensation Information

No settlement amounts or compensation details are currently available. The case remains in early litigation stages.

Potential compensation may include:

Refunds for products purchased
Reimbursement for price premium paid
Statutory damages under consumer protection laws
Additional relief as determined by the court

Settlement amounts in similar false advertising cases against beauty and wellness companies have ranged from hundreds of dollars per claimant to partial refunds.

How Rael Compares to Other Feminine Care Lawsuits

Class action lawsuits against beauty and wellness companies are common, with recent cases filed against L’Oreal, Target, Burt’s Bees, Murad, Almay, Grande Cosmetics, Neutrogena, and Clinique.

In a separate case, period underwear company Thinx agreed to pay $5 million in a lawsuit claiming misleading marketing about being “free of harmful chemicals” after PFAS contamination was found.

Rael’s Response to Safety Concerns

Rael issued a statement addressing PFAS concerns, stating the company “does not intentionally use or add PFAS in the manufacturing process” and implements specific quality measures including partnering with suppliers who confirm they do not intentionally add PFAS to fabrics.

Rael has not publicly commented on the false advertising lawsuit allegations.

Participation Deadlines

Consumers typically do not need to take immediate action to join a class action lawsuit when initially filed. The court must first certify the class before consumers can officially participate.

However, individual claims may be subject to statutes of limitations:

California: Generally 1-4 years depending on claim type
Other states: Varies by jurisdiction and legal theory
Federal claims: Typically 2-4 years

Critical deadlines:

Class certification hearing: Not yet scheduled
Settlement claim filing: No settlement announced
Statute of limitations: Varies by state and purchase date

How to Join or File a Claim

Since no settlement has been reached, consumers cannot yet file claims. The current process involves:

Monitor the case status through court records and legal news sources
Preserve purchase evidence including receipts and product packaging
Consult an attorney if you believe you have significant damages
Wait for class certification before formal participation is required

Anyone in the U.S. who purchased Rael’s Natural Feminine Wipes during the applicable statute of limitations may be eligible.

What Makes a Valid Rael Lawsuit Claim

A valid claim requires:

Proof of purchase: Receipts, bank statements, or credit card records
Product identification: Confirmation you bought the specifically named products
Reliance on marketing: You purchased based on “natural” labeling claims
Damages: You paid a premium price for allegedly mislabeled products
Timeline: Purchase occurred within statute of limitations period

Legal Representation

The plaintiff is represented by experienced consumer protection attorneys. If you wish to participate individually rather than as a class member, consult an attorney specializing in:

Consumer protection law
False advertising claims
Product liability
Class action litigation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Rael lawsuit about?

The lawsuit alleges Rael falsely marketed its Natural Feminine Wipes as “natural” despite containing multiple synthetic ingredients including phenoxyethanol, polysorbate 20, sodium benzoate, citric acid, and other artificial substances.

Q: Is there a Rael pads lawsuit specifically?

The current lawsuit focuses on Rael Natural Feminine Wipes. While the complaint suggests other Rael products may be affected, no specific lawsuit targeting menstrual pads has been identified as of November 2025.

Q: Who can join the Rael lawsuit?

The lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide class plus consumers from California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Washington who purchased Rael Natural Feminine Wipes.

Q: How much compensation can I get?

No settlement has been reached. Compensation amounts will depend on settlement negotiations or court rulings. Similar false advertising cases have resulted in refunds or partial reimbursement of purchase prices.

Q: What evidence do I need?

Gather purchase receipts, product packaging, credit card statements, and any documentation showing you bought Rael Natural Feminine Wipes and relied on “natural” labeling claims.

Q: What is the deadline to join?

The case is still pending with no settlement announced. Statutes of limitations vary by state (typically 1-4 years from purchase date). Consult an attorney if your purchase was several years ago.

Q: How do I file a claim?

No claims process is currently available. The case must proceed through litigation and potential settlement before consumers can file claims. Monitor case developments through legal news sources.

Related Legal Resources

For more information on similar consumer protection cases, see:

Official Case Information

Case Name: Sarah Blansette et al., v. Rael Inc.
Case Number: 4:23-cv-00006-DMR
Court: U.S. District Court Northern District of California
Filed: January 3, 2023
Status: Pending

For official court documents, visit the U.S. District Court Northern District of California website.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you believe you are eligible for the Rael lawsuit, consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your specific situation and legal options. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes in legal cases.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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Rael Pads Lawsuit, False Advertising Claims Target “Natural” Feminine Products—What Consumers Need to Know