A proposed settlement could provide small cash payments to California and Colorado consumers who purchased certain cookware sold under the Gotham Steel, Granite Stone, and Bell & Howell brands. Eligible households may claim $6 per qualifying product for as many as two products, producing a maximum payment of $12.

The lawsuit alleges that the cookware was marketed with statements such as "Healthy," "Non-Toxic," and "Safe" despite the presence of metals or other substances that plaintiffs say were not adequately disclosed. The defendant, E. Mishan & Sons, denies the allegations. The court has not decided whether the advertising was unlawful or whether either side is correct.

Eligibility depends on where and when the cookware was purchased

The class generally covers people who bought one or more covered products for personal use, rather than resale, in California or Colorado from September 8, 2021, through July 6, 2026. The notice concerns cookware with stainless-steel components sold under the Gotham Steel, Granite Stone, and Bell & Howell names.

Company-related parties, the lawyers in the case, the presiding judge and family, and people who timely exclude themselves are not included. Because the brands sell multiple cookware lines, consumers should use the product information on the official settlement website to confirm whether a particular item is covered.

No receipt is required, but a claim form is

The settlement does not require proof of purchase for the cash benefit. Instead, the claim form asks for information such as the product, quantity, and approximate purchase date. Claimants sign under penalty of perjury.

That makes the process more accessible for people who no longer have a receipt, but it does not make payment automatic. The administrator may request more information, validate submissions, and reject incomplete or inaccurate claims. Each household is limited to two qualifying products regardless of how many covered items it purchased.

The cash payment is capped at $12 per household

Valid claimants may receive $6 for one covered product or $12 for two or more. The notice does not describe a higher documentary tier, so providing a receipt does not increase the stated award.

The notice also says court-approved attorneys' fees and service awards will be paid separately by the defendant and will not reduce the cash payments available to class members. The proposed service awards are up to $2,500 for each class representative, subject to the court's approval.

Product labels would identify three metals

The agreement includes a non-cash change in addition to household payments. The defendant would add a statement to product labels and its website saying that the cookware contains iron, chromium, and nickel.

The lawsuit referenced a broader set of marketing statements and alleged undisclosed substances, including claims involving lead, cadmium, PFOA, PFAS, PTFE, and PFOS. The settlement's prospective disclosure, however, specifically identifies iron, chromium, and nickel. Consumers should not read the agreement as a court finding that every challenged statement was false.

The case does not allege physical injury

The official notice expressly says the lawsuit does not allege that the cookware caused physical or personal injury. Its claims concern advertising, consumer-protection, warranty, and related economic issues.

That distinction matters for understanding what the settlement resolves. Remaining in the class generally releases advertising-related claims covered by the agreement, but the notice is not a product-safety determination or a finding that a class member suffered bodily harm.

September 25 is the claim deadline

Claims may be submitted through the official settlement website by September 25, 2026, or mailed with a postmark by that date. Consumers filing by mail should allow enough time to obtain a timely postmark and should keep a copy of the completed form.

The court has scheduled a final approval hearing for November 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Riverside, California. Payments will be issued only if the settlement receives final approval and any appeals are resolved. The hearing date may change, so claimants should monitor the official website for updates.