Vitamix sure pulverizes nearly everything you toss in it, doesn’t it?
Still, when you drop $350 or more on a high-powered blender, you don’t expect to find stray particles in your fruit-and-vegetable purees.
A class-action lawsuit against Vita-Mix Corp. alleged that the top seal on the blade assembly in certain Vitamix models was flawed, allowing minute black specks of nonstick material to end up in blended food and drinks.
The complaint accused the company of negligent design, fraud and breach of contract. Vita-Mix commissioned independent testing of the specks and reported on the settlement website that the material was safe if swallowed.
Vita-Mix did not concede wrongdoing, but agreed to resolve the lawsuit and provide compensation to customers who felt their product performance was subpar.
Although roughly 6 million blenders meet the settlement criteria, Vita-Mix’s communications director told Time Money the company doesn’t know how many of those actually showed the flecking defect, and expects “the number of claimants will be small.”
Does Your Vitamix Qualify for This Settlement?
Your blender may be eligible for a gift card or a replacement component if it falls into one of these categories:
- Your Vitamix household blade assembly is dated Jan. 1, 2007 through Oct. 1, 2016.
- Your Vitamix commercial unit was bought from a third-party seller after Sept. 15, 2015 and before Aug. 9, 2016.
Check the assembly date stamped on the top of one of the blades at the base of the container. You’ll also need the blender’s 18-digit serial number, which is printed on the back or underside of the motor base.
If you submit a claim for a household blender, you can opt for a $70 Vita-Mix gift card or a replacement blade assembly. The Vitamix online store carries spatulas, recipe guides, blending cups and other accessories to support your blending pursuits.
If you select the replacement part, Vita-Mix will send a box and a prepaid shipping label so you can send your blender in for installation of the new assembly. Expect to receive your blender back about 10 days after Vita-Mix gets it.
Owners of commercial models are limited to receiving a replacement blade — the gift card option does not apply.
The proposed settlement is scheduled for a court hearing on March 27, 2018. Meanwhile, you can file your claim. The claims deadline is Sept. 28, 2018.
For comparison shopping and similar blender discussions, see magic bullet vs nutribullet vs ninja to help weigh your options.
Jordan Blake is a senior writer and producer at Savinly.
