Following up: Made in the USA, or not?

The February issue of Home Channel News looked at a variety of angles of the “Made in the USA” trend. But for a view of the controversy surrounding the definition, look to a San Diego courtroom.

That’s where a settlement to a class-action lawsuit launched against grill manufacturer Weber over its “Made in USA” claims is heading to a final approval hearing July 20.

The original lawsuit filed in February last year alleged that Weber violated the law by designating Weber grills and certain accessories as “Made in USA.” The complaint pointed specifically to the charcoal grate and the charcoal separator (both made in China) and the hinged grilling grate, made in Taiwan.

On its website, Weber denies any wrongdoing: “Weber believes that because all Weber grills and the disputed accessories are designed and engineered in the USA, and all grills save for one line are manufactured and assembled in the USA using component parts primarily made in the USA, it did nothing wrong.”

Still, the case winds on.

The proposed settlement provides a payment of $2.00, $5.00 or $9.00 to class members composed of those who purchased a Weber grill or accessory between Feb. 15, 2007, and Feb. 15, 2012. Weber also agreed to pay costs of the settlement process.