FTC Issues Refunds for Misleading «Made in USA» Pyrex Measuring Cups

Consumers across the United States are set to receive compensation following a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation into misleading «Made in the USA» marketing. The FTC has announced it will distribute more than $88,000 in refunds to over 10,000 customers who purchased glass measuring cups falsely marketed as made domestically when they were actually produced in China.

The refund pertains to purchases made around 2021 of the Pyrex-branded glass measuring cups. The FTC’s action comes as a result of allegations against Instant Brands, the parent company of Pyrex. Instant Brands experienced increased demand for its baking products during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the decision to move production overseas. However, this shift was not reflected in the product labeling, which continued to claim domestic production origins.

In a statement, Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, emphasized the importance of truthful advertising. «Consumers rely on marketers to make truthful ‘Made in USA’ claims. If marketers move their manufacturing outside the United States, even temporarily, they must update their advertising to make it accurate,» Levine stated.

The FTC’s action involved a settlement with Instant Brands, which requires the company to pay a monetary judgment and cease making deceptive claims about the origin of their products. This applies specifically to the more than 110,000 units of Pyrex measuring cups sold misleadingly as made in the USA. The settlement stipulates that approximately 10,259 customers will be compensated within 90 days.

Eligible customers will receive notifications via mail, and refunds will be distributed with the assistance of Simpluris, the refund administrator. Simpluris can be contacted at 833-244-7320 for any questions regarding the refunds. It is advised that recipients cash their checks within 90 days to ensure validity.

The FTC is using a combination of lists provided by Instant Brands, consumer reports from the Consumer Sentinel Network database, and data on filed complaints related to Instant Brands to identify eligible refund recipients. The refund process is part of the FTC’s broader effort to hold companies accountable for false advertising and ensure consumer protection.