COURT APPROVED NOTICE OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AND HEARING
DATE FOR FINAL COURT APPROVAL
Jeffrey Fouse and Brianna Miller v. E. Mishan & Sons, Inc.,
Case No. CVRI2505343 (Riverside Superior Court)
If you purchased Gotham Steel, Granite Stone, or Bell & Howell brand cookware products
with stainless steel components in California or Colorado between September 8, 2021, and
July 6, 2026, then you could be eligible for a payment from a class action settlement.
The Superior Court for the State of California authorized this Notice. Read it carefully! It is not
junk mail, spam, an advertisement, or solicitation by a lawyer. You are not being sued.
THIS NOTICE MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.
Para una notificación en español, llamar al 1 (888) 915-6921 o visite nuestro sitio web
www.Stainless-SteelCookwareSettlement.com
A class action settlement has been proposed between E. Mishan & Sons, Inc. (“Defendant”) and
Jeffrey Fouse and Brianna Miller (“Class Representatives” or “Plaintiffs”) concerning Gotham
Steel, Granite Stone, and Bell & Howell brand cookware products (the “Products”) with stainless
steel components. It was filed on May 28, 2026, attached to the Declaration of Ryan J. Clarkson
in Support of Plaintiffs’ Unopposed Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement.
If approved, the Settlement would resolve a class action lawsuit alleging Defendant misleadingly
marketed and advertised the Products as “Healthy, Non-Toxic Ceramic Cookware & Bakeware,”
“Cookware for a Healthy Lifestyle,” “Non-toxic,” “Safe,” “Free from PFOA, PFOS, PTFE, BPA,
lead, and cadmium,” “Cook healthy,” “Made without PFOA PTFE PFOS,” “Metal Utensil Safe,”
“Dishwasher Safe,” “Oven safe up to 500° F,” “Safe Use,” “Toxin Free,” “PFOA Free,” despite
the undisclosed presence of chromium, iron, nickel, lead, cadmium, PFOA, PFAS, PTFE, or PFOS
in the Products. This lawsuit does not allege that the Products caused any physical or personal
injury to anyone. Defendant denies the allegations. The Court did not rule in favor of either side.
The parties agreed to the Settlement to avoid the expense and risks of continuing the lawsuit.
You are a Settlement Class Member if you purchased one or more of the Products other than for
resale in California or Colorado between September 8, 2021, and July 6, 2026. For more
information on the Products, please visit www.Stainless-SteelCookwareSettlement.com.
Settlement Class Members who submit valid claims can receive a $6.00 cash payment per eligible
Product, with a limit of up to 2 eligible Products per household (for a total of $12.00).
The Court has determined that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the proposed Settlement
may be fair, reasonable, and adequate. The Court has not yet made a final decision. The Court will
decide whether to grant final approval of the Settlement at the Final Approval Hearing. Settlement
payments for valid claims will be issued only if the Court finally approves the Settlement and any
appeals are resolved. Your legal rights are affected whether you act or do not act. You should read
this Notice carefully.
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
1
Options More information about each option
Submit a Claim You must submit a Claim Form to receive a cash payment from the
Form Settlement.
Deadline:
September 25, 2026
Exclude Yourself You can exclude yourself from the Settlement (opt-out) by submitting the
from this Settlement written Request for Exclusion Form.
Deadline: If you opt-out of the Settlement, you will not receive a Settlement Payment
September 25, 2026 and cannot object to the Settlement. You will, however, preserve your right
to personally sue or be part of a separate lawsuit against Defendant for the
claims this Settlement resolves.
Object to or You may object to the Settlement by writing about why you do not think
Comment on the the Settlement should be approved. You can also write to provide
Settlement comments or reasons why you support the Settlement. Objections and
comments will be submitted to the Court through the Settlement
Deadline: Administrator. They should not be sent directly to the Court.
September 25, 2026
If you object, you may also submit a Claim Form to receive a settlement
payment, but you will give up your right to sue Defendant in a separate
lawsuit about the claims this Settlement resolves.
Do Nothing If you do nothing, you will not receive a cash payment, and you will give
up your right to sue Defendant for the claims this Settlement resolves.
Your rights and options—and the deadlines to exercise them—are explained in this notice.
Deciding what to do…
Submit a
Opt-out Object Do Nothing
Claim
Can I receive settlement money
YES NO YES NO
or benefits if I . . .
Am I bound by the terms of this
YES NO YES YES
lawsuit if I . . .
Can I pursue my own case if I . . . NO YES NO NO
Will the class lawyers represent
YES NO NO YES
me if I . . .
*Deadlines may be amended, and you should check the Settlement Website frequently for updates
at www.Stainless-SteelCookwareSettlement.com.
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
2
WHAT THIS NOTICE CONTAINS
Page
BASIC INFORMATION ................................................................................................................ 5
1. Why did I get this Notice? ................................................................................................. 5
2. What is this lawsuit about? ................................................................................................ 5
3. What is a class action? ....................................................................................................... 5
4. Why is there a settlement? ................................................................................................. 5
WHO IS IN THE SETTLEMENT CLASS? .................................................................................. 6
5. How do I know if I am part of the Settlement? ................................................................. 6
6. What if I am still not sure whether I am part of the Settlement? ....................................... 6
THE SETTLEMENT BENEFITS—WHAT YOU GET ................................................................ 6
7. What does the Settlement provide? ................................................................................... 6
8. What am I giving up to get a cash payment or stay in the Settlement? ............................. 7
9. What are Released Claims? ............................................................................................... 7
HOW TO GET A CASH PAYMENT—SUBMITTING A VALID CLAIM FORM .................... 7
10. How can I get a cash payment? ......................................................................................... 7
11. Who reviews the Claim Forms after they’re submitted? ................................................... 8
12. What happens if my contact information changes after I submit a Claim Form? ............. 8
13. When and how will I get my cash payment from the Settlement? .................................... 8
EXCLUDING YOURSELF FROM THE SETTLEMENT ............................................................ 8
14. How do I get out of the Settlement? .................................................................................. 9
15. If I exclude myself, can I get anything from the Settlement?............................................ 9
16. If I don’t exclude myself, can I sue Defendant for the same thing later? .......................... 9
OBJECTING TO THE SETTLEMENT ......................................................................................... 9
17. How do I tell the Court I don’t like the proposed settlement? .......................................... 9
OBJECTION AND OPT-OUT DIFFERENCES.......................................................................... 10
18. What’s the difference between objecting and excluding? ............................................... 10
THE LAWYERS REPRESENTING YOU .................................................................................. 10
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
3
19. Do I have a lawyer in the case? ....................................................................................... 10
20. How will the costs of the lawsuit and settlement be paid? .............................................. 10
THE COURT’S FINAL APPROVAL HEARING ....................................................................... 11
21. When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the settlement? .................. 11
22. Do I have to come to the hearing? ................................................................................... 11
23. May I speak at the hearing? ............................................................................................. 11
GETTING MORE INFORMATION ............................................................................................ 12
24. How do I get more information? ......................................................................................... 12
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
4
BASIC INFORMATION
1. Why did I get this Notice?
A state court authorized this notice because you have a right to know about the proposed Settlement
in this class action lawsuit, and about all of your rights and options, before the Court decides
whether to give “final approval” to the Settlement. This notice explains the lawsuit, the Settlement,
and your legal rights.
The Honorable Harold W. Hopp of the Riverside Superior Court is overseeing this action. The
case is known as Jeffrey Fouse and Brianna Miller v. E. Mishan & Sons, Inc., in the Superior Court
of California for the County of Riverside, Case No. CVRI2505343 (the “Action”). The individuals
who sued are called the “Plaintiffs.” The company they are suing, E. Mishan & Sons, Inc., is called
the “Defendant.”
2. What is this lawsuit about?
The lawsuit, filed September 8, 2025, alleges that Defendant misleadingly marketed the Products
with claims such as “Healthy,” “Non-Toxic,” and “Safe,” despite the undisclosed presence of
chemicals chromium, iron, nickel, lead, cadmium, PFOA, PFAS, PTFE, or PFOS in the Products.
Plaintiffs allege that this marketing violates state false advertising, consumer protection, warranty,
and unjust enrichment laws, and caused economic injury to Plaintiffs and Settlement Class
Members. This lawsuit does not allege that the Products caused any physical or personal injury to
anyone.
Defendant denies any wrongdoing or liability. The Court has not decided that Defendant did
anything wrong, and the Settlement does not mean Defendant broke the law. Both the Plaintiffs
and Defendant believe that the Settlement is fair, adequate, and reasonable and that it is in the best
interests of the Settlement Class.
3. What is a class action?
In a class action, one or more people called “Class Representatives” sue on behalf of people who
have similar claims. All of these people or entities are a “Class” or “Class Members.” One court
resolves the issues for all Class Members, except for those who exclude themselves from the Class.
The Class Representatives in this case are Jeffrey Fouse and Brianna Miller.
4. Why is there a settlement?
The Class Representatives and Defendant do not agree about the claims in this lawsuit. The lawsuit
has not gone to trial, and the Court has not decided in favor of the Class Representatives or
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
5
Defendant. Instead, the Class Representatives and Defendant have agreed to settle the lawsuit. The
Class Representatives and the attorneys for the Class (“Class Counsel”) believe the Settlement is
best for all Class Members because it avoids risks and uncertainty associated with continued
litigation, and provides cash payments as well as other, non-monetary relief (see Question 7) to
the Settlement Class.
WHO IS IN THE SETTLEMENT CLASS?
5. How do I know if I am part of the Settlement?
If you received a notice of this Settlement, you may be a Settlement Class Member. You are a
member of the Settlement Class if you purchased one or more Gotham Steel, Granite Stone, or
Bell & Howell brand cookware Products other than for resale in California or Colorado between
September 8, 2021, and July 6, 2026. This time period is referred to as the “Class Period.” Excluded
from the Settlement Class are any subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, and officers, directors,
employees, legal representatives, heirs, successors, or assigns of Defendant, and the immediate
family member of any such person; counsel for the Parties; any judge presiding over this case; any
member of those judges’ immediate families; and any person who validly and timely executes and
submits a Request for Exclusion by September 25, 2026. Please refer to the Settlement Website
for additional details.
6. What if I am still not sure whether I am part of the Settlement?
If you are still not sure whether you are a Settlement Class Member, you may go to the Settlement
Website at www.Stainless-SteelCookwareSettlement.com, or call the Settlement Administrator’s
toll-free number at 1 (888) 915-6921.
THE SETTLEMENT BENEFITS—WHAT YOU GET
7. What does the Settlement provide?
If approved, the proposed Settlement will provide monetary and non-monetary benefits.
• Cash payments: Settlement Class Members who submit a timely and complete Claim
Form will receive a payment of $6.00 per Product, for up to 2 Products per household (for
a total of $12.00).
• Non-monetary benefits: Defendant will include a statement that the Products contain
iron, chromium, and nickel on the Product labels and website.
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
6
8. What am I giving up to get a cash payment or stay in the Settlement?
Unless you exclude yourself, you will remain in the Settlement Class. If the Settlement is approved
and becomes final, all the Court’s orders will apply to you and legally bind you. You will not be
able to sue, continue to sue, or be part of any other lawsuit against Defendant about the legal issues
in this Action. The specific rights you are giving up are called Released Claims (see next question).
9. What are Released Claims?
If you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement, you will give up the right to sue Defendant for
claims relating to the allegations that were or could have been made in this lawsuit. If approved,
the Settlement would resolve a class action lawsuit alleging the Defendant, E. Mishan & Sons,
Inc., misleadingly marketed and advertised the Products as “Healthy, Non-Toxic Ceramic
Cookware & Bakeware,” “Cookware for a Healthy Lifestyle,” “Non-toxic,” “Safe,” “Free from
PFOA, PFOS, PTFE, BPA, lead, and cadmium,” “Cook healthy,” “Made without PFOA PTFE
PFOS,” “Metal Utensil Safe,” “Dishwasher Safe,” “Oven safe up to 500° F,” “Safe Use,” “Toxin
Free,” “PFOA Free,” despite the undisclosed presence of chromium, iron, nickel, lead, cadmium,
PFOA, PFAS, PTFE, or PFOS in the Products.
More details regarding the specific claims you give up if you stay in the Settlement are described
in detail in the Settlement Agreement, which is available at the Settlement Website. The Settlement
Agreement contains the full description of the Released Claims, so read it carefully.
If you have any questions about what claims you are giving up and which parties you are releasing,
you can talk to Class Counsel (see Question 19) for free or you can, of course, talk to your own
lawyer at your own expense.
HOW TO GET A CASH PAYMENT—SUBMITTING A VALID CLAIM FORM
10. How can I get a cash payment?
To ask for a cash payment you must complete and submit a valid claim under the penalty of
perjury. You can obtain a Claim Form at www.Stainless-SteelCookwareSettlement.com The
deadline to submit a Claim Form is September 25, 2026. The Claim Form generally requires
information regarding which Products you purchased, how many, and the approximate dates of
purchase. You may submit your claim via the Settlement Website by September 25, 2026, or mail
if postmarked no later than September 25, 2026 to:
Stainless Steel Cookware Settlement Administrator
1060 Broadway, Suite 301
Albany, NY 12204
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
7
The Settlement Administrator may seek additional information to validate the Claim Form and/or
disqualify an invalid claim. If you provide incomplete or inaccurate information, your claim may
be denied.
Please be aware that the United States Postal Service does not always postmark mail on the date
it is placed in a mailbox or dropped off at a post office. For this reason, you are strongly
encouraged to submit your Claim Form online, or mail your Claim Form well in advance of the
deadline to ensure that it receives a timely postmark.
11. Who reviews the Claim Forms after they’re submitted?
The Court appointed a Settlement Administrator, Fidexis Group, who will review all of the Claim
Forms that are submitted and determine whether they are valid and timely. The Settlement
Administrator may require additional information from a claimant.
12. What happens if my contact information changes after I submit a Claim Form?
If you change your mailing address or email address after you submit a Claim Form, it is your
responsibility to inform the Settlement Administrator of your updated information. You may notify
the Settlement Administrator of any changes by sending an email to info@Stainless-
SteelCookwareSettlement.com, or writing to:
Stainless Steel Cookware Settlement Administrator
1060 Broadway, Suite 301
Albany, NY 12204
13. When and how will I get my cash payment from the Settlement?
Cash payments will be distributed to Settlement Class Members who timely submit valid Claim
Forms, after the Court grants “final approval” of the Settlement, and after the time for appeals has
ended and any appeals have been resolved. If the judge approves the settlement after a hearing on
November 2, 2026 (see the section “The Court’s Final Approval Hearing” below), there may be
appeals. Resolving these appeals can take time. Please be patient.
EXCLUDING YOURSELF FROM THE SETTLEMENT
If you want to keep the right to sue or continue to sue Defendant over the legal issues in this case,
you must take steps to exclude yourself from the Settlement. This is called asking to be excluded
from—sometimes called “opting out” of—the Settlement Class.
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
8
14. How do I get out of the Settlement?
To exclude yourself from the Settlement, you must complete and personally sign the Request for
Exclusion Form, which is available on the Settlement Website. The form must be submitted on
the Settlement Website or by mail to 1060 Broadway, Suite 301, Albany, NY 12204. The forms
must be submitted online or postmarked (if mailed) by September 25, 2026.
Please be sure to completely fill out and personally sign the Request for Exclusion Form. You
cannot exclude yourself by phone or by e-mail. Opt-out requests seeking exclusion on behalf of
more than one person shall be deemed invalid by the Settlement Administrator.
Please be aware that the United States Postal Service does not always postmark mail on the date it
is placed in a mailbox or dropped off at a post office. For this reason, you are strongly encouraged
to submit your Request for Exclusion Form online, or mail your Request for Exclusion Form well
in advance of the deadline to ensure that it receives a timely postmark.
If you exclude yourself from the Settlement, you will not receive any payment from the Settlement,
nor can you object to the Settlement. Any member of the Settlement Class who does not submit a
valid and timely request for exclusion in the manner described herein shall be deemed to be a
Settlement Class Member and shall be bound by all subsequent proceedings, orders, and judgments
applicable to Settlement Class Members.
15. If I exclude myself, can I get anything from the Settlement?
No. If you exclude yourself from the Settlement, you will not receive any payment from the
Settlement.
16. If I don’t exclude myself, can I sue Defendant for the same thing later?
No. Unless you exclude yourself, you give up the right to sue the Defendant or the other released
parties for the claims resolved by this Settlement, if the Settlement is approved.
Remember, the deadline to submit the completed and personally signed Request for Exclusion
form is September 25, 2026.
OBJECTING TO THE SETTLEMENT
17. How do I tell the Court I don’t like the proposed settlement?
If you are a Settlement Class Member, you can object to the Settlement if you do not like any part
of it. The Court will consider your views. If you object, you can still participate in the Settlement
– and potentially receive a cash payment if the Settlement is approved – notwithstanding your
objection.
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
9
To object, you must complete and personally sign the Objection Form, which is available on the
Settlement Website. The form must be submitted on the Settlement Website or by mail to 1060
Broadway, Suite 301, Albany, NY 12204. The forms must be submitted online or postmarked (if
mailed) by September 25, 2026.
Please be sure to completely fill out and personally sign the Objection Form. You cannot object
to the Settlement by phone or by e-mail.
Please be aware that the United States Postal Service does not always postmark mail on the date it
is placed in a mailbox or dropped off at a post office. For this reason, you are strongly encouraged
to submit your Objection Form online, or mail your Objection Form well in advance of the deadline
to ensure that it receives a timely postmark.
OBJECTION AND OPT-OUT DIFFERENCES
18. What’s the difference between objecting and excluding?
Objecting is simply telling the Court that you don’t like something about the settlement. You can
object only if you stay in the Settlement Class. If you stay in the Class, you will be legally bound
by all orders and judgments of the Court, and you won’t be able to sue, or continue to sue,
Defendant as part of any other lawsuit involving the same claims that are in this lawsuit. If you
object, you still can submit a Claim Form.
Excluding yourself, or Opting out, is telling the Court that you don’t want to be part of the
Settlement Class. If you opt out, you have no basis to object because the case no longer affects
you.
THE LAWYERS REPRESENTING YOU
19. Do I have a lawyer in the case?
Shireen M. Clarkson, Ryan J. Clarkson, and Tiara Avaness of Clarkson Law Firm, P.C. represent
you and other Settlement Class Members. The lawyers are called Class Counsel. You will not be
charged for these lawyers. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer, you may hire one at
your own expense.
You can reach Class Counsel at: [email protected].
20. How will the costs of the lawsuit and settlement be paid?
Class Counsel will ask the Court for an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and litigation
expenses. The Court will decide how much to award Class Counsel. If approved, the attorneys’
fees, costs, and litigation expenses will be paid by Defendant.
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
10
The Class Representatives, Jeffrey Fouse and Brianna Miller, will also request that the Court
approve a payment to them of up to $2,500, as a service award for their participation as Class
Representatives and for taking on the risk of litigation. This amount is subject to Court approval;
if approved, the service awards will be paid by Defendant.
Any attorneys’ fees or service awards will not reduce the cash payments available to Settlement
Class Members in this Settlement.
THE COURT’S FINAL APPROVAL HEARING
The Court will hold a hearing to decide whether to approve the Settlement at 4050 Main Street,
Department 1, Riverside, CA 92501. If you have validly and timely submitted an Objection Form,
you may attend and you may ask to speak, but you don’t have to.
21. When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the settlement?
The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing at 8:30 a.m. on November 2, 2026, in Department
1 at Superior Court of California County of Riverside located at 4050 Main Street, Riverside, CA
92501. The hearing may be moved to a different date or time without additional notice, so please
check for updates at www.Stainless-SteelCookwareSettlement.com. At this hearing the Court will
consider whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. If there are objections, the Court
will consider them. The judge will only listen to people who have submitted a valid, written
objection to the Settlement Administrator, in the manner described in this Notice. The Court will
also decide how much to pay the Class Representative and the lawyers representing Class
Members. After the hearing, the Court will decide whether to approve the Settlement. We do not
know how long these decisions will take.
22. Do I have to come to the hearing?
No. Settlement Class Counsel will answer any questions from the Court regarding the Settlement.
However, you are welcome to come at your own expense. If you send an objection, you do not
have to come to Court to talk about it. If you submitted your Objection Form on time, the Court
will consider it. You may also pay your own lawyer to attend, but it is not necessary.
23. May I speak at the hearing?
If you did not exclude yourself from the Settlement Class, you may attend the Final Approval
Hearing and ask the Court’s permission to speak.
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
11
GETTING MORE INFORMATION
24. How do I get more information?
This notice summarizes the proposed Settlement. More details are in the Settlement Agreement.
You can get a copy of the Settlement Agreement, download a Claim Form, Objection Form, or
Request for Exclusion Form, and review additional case information at www.Stainless-
SteelCookwareSettlement.com. You may also call toll-free 1-888-915-6921. You can also visit
the Court’s website where the case file can be viewed online at: https://epublic-
access.riverside.courts.ca.gov/public-portal/. Once you access this court link, click “Case Number
Search,” and you will be prompted to make a free account to proceed. You can then enter the case
number (CVRI2505343) to locate the case.
PLEASE DO NOT TELEPHONE THE COURT OR THE COURT CLERK’S
OFFICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS SETTLEMENT OR THE CLAIM PROCESS.
QUESTIONS? CALL 1 (888) 915-6921 OR VISIT WWW.STAINLESS-STEELCOOKWARESETTLEMENT.COM.
PARA INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL, VISITE NUESTRO SITIO DE INTERNET.
12
