FTC Is Sending Refunds to Purchasers of Pyrex Measuring Cups

Pyrex reportedly made a false claim about where its products were made, and now it has to pay for the mistake. Announced by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), shoppers who previously purchased a popular glass measuring cup from the company are eligible for a refund.

In 2023, the FTC accused Instant Brands, the owner of Pyrex, of importing some of its measuring cups from China, despite “Made in USA” marketing claims. Ultimately, Instant Brands settled the dispute by halting any “Made in USA” marketing material and paying a $129,416 fine.

“Consumers rely on marketers to make truthful ‘Made in USA’ claims,” said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a 2023 statement. “If marketers move their manufacturing outside the United States, even temporarily, they must update their advertising to make it accurate.”

Roughly 10,259 Pyrex customers will be getting a check from the FTC, which should be cashed within 90 days. Customers eligible for a refund will be automatically notified by the agency.

Not All Pyrex Measuring Cups Were ‘Made in USA’

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, people stuck at home suddenly became interested in baking. The surge led to a high demand for cooking utensils and tools, such as Pyrex measuring cup sets.

While the company did manufacture its cups in the U.S., it just could not produce them fast enough. Amazon orders for the measuring cups were particularly high, prompting Instant Brands to outsource some manufacturing in China. According to the FTC, many cups were made in China from around March 2021 to May 2022.

However, product marketing still boasted “Made in USA,” even though the cups themselves were labeled as “Made in China.” The FTC found that 110,000 units sold to American consumers were actually imported from China.

Instant Brands was already in financial trouble when the FTC was investigating the reportedly false advertising claim. While the company’s Instant Pot was a success when it was first launched in 2010, popularity faded, and the cooking marvel failed to attract new buyers. After falling sales, Instant Brand filed for bankruptcy in 2023.