On April 16, 2021, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (“JPML”) issued a transfer order centralizing all litigations alleging that All-Clad’s multi-ply stainless-steel cookware was deceptively marketed to consumers as dishwasher safe, be transferred to the Western District of Pennsylvania under federal court Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan.
In the transfer order, the JPML expounds on its reasoning for selecting the Western District of Pennsylvania by pointing out that defendant All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC (“All-Clad”) is based in the western Pennsylvania city of Canonsburg. Suits in the newly consolidated multidistrict litigation (“MDL”) all similarly allege that All-Clad’s bonded cookware, which includes pots, pans, skillets and “sauciers,” are prominently marketed by the defendant as having an unparalleled level of durability and craftsmanship and are guaranteed to “last a lifetime.”
One of the main selling points of the defendant’s products is that they are allegedly dishwasher safe. However, the plaintiffs argue that regular exposure to the dishwasher causes the second layer, constructed of aluminum, on the products to deteriorate and separate from the already “razor thin” stainless steel top layer of the product. This causes the layers to protrude - creating a sharp edge and posing a hazard, thus making the expensive cookware unusable.
The plaintiffs further argue that All-Clad knew or should have known that the cookware was likely to deteriorate in the dishwasher and become hazardous and unsuitable for safe cooking or cleaning, and yet it continued to advertise it as dishwasher-safe.
The case is: In re: All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC Cookware Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, Case No.: 2:21-mc-00491, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
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