Noticing Party:
Environmental Research Center, Inc.
Plaintiff Attorney:
Aqua Terra Aeris Law Group
Alleged Violators:
Brew Dr. Kombucha, LLC
The Townshend Group LLC
Castanea Partners LLC
Castanea Partners, Inc.
Chemicals:
Lead and lead compounds
Mercury and mercury compounds
60-Day Notice Document
Supplemental Complaint
Case Name:
Environmental Research Center vs. Brew Dr. Kombucha, LLC
Court Name:
Alameda County Superior Court
Plaintiff:
Environmental Research Center, Inc.
Plaintiff Attorney:
Aqua Terra Aeris Law Group
Defendant:
Brew Dr. Kombucha, LLC
The Townsend Group LLC
Castanea Partners LLC
Castanea Partners, Inc.
Relief Sought:
Warning
Civil Penalty
Injunctive and Declaratory Relief
Contact Organization:
Aqua Terra Aeris Law Group
Settlement
Settlement Date:
03/14/2025
Case Name:
Environmental Research Center, Inc. v. Brew Dr. Kombucha, LL
Court Name:
Alameda County Superior Court
Plaintiff:
Environmental Research Center, Inc.
Plaintiff Attorney:
Aqua Terra Aeris Law Group
Defendant:
Brew Dr. Kombucha, LLC
The Townshend Group LLC
*Non-Contingent Civil Penalty:
$ 10,000.00
Attorney(s) Fees and Costs:
$ 100,000.00
Payment in Lieu of Penalty:
$ 0.00
Total Payments:
$ 110,000.00
Will settlement be submitted to court?
Contact Organization:
Aqua Terra Aeris Law Group
City, State, Zip:
Oakland, CA 94611
Phone Number:
(917) 371-8293
Judgment
Judgment Date:
06/09/2025
Settlement reported to AG:
Case Name:
Environmental Research Center vs. Brew Dr. Kombucha, LLC
Court Name:
Alameda County Superior Court
Plaintiff:
Environmental Research Center, Inc.
Plaintiff Attorney:
Aqua Terra Aeris Law Group
Defendant:
Brew Dr. Kombucha, LLC
The Townsend Group LLC
Injunctive Relief:
3.1 Beginning on the Compliance Date, Brew Dr. Kombucha shall be permanently enjoined from manufacturing for sale in the State of California, “Distributing into the State of California,” or directly selling in the State of California, any Covered Product that exposes a person to a “Daily Lead Exposure Level” of more than 0.5 micrograms of lead per day and/or any Mercury Covered Product that exposes a person to a “Daily Mercury Exposure Level” of more than 0.3 micrograms of mercury per day unless it meets the warning requirements under Section 3.2.
*Non-Contingent Civil Penalty:
$ 10,000.00
Attorney(s) Fees and Costs:
$ 100,000.00
Payment in Lieu of Penalty:
$ 0.00
Total Payments:
$ 110,000.00
Is Judgment Pursuant to Settlement?
Contact Organization:
Aqua Terra Aeris Law Group
City, State, Zip:
Oakland, CA 94611
Phone Number:
(416) 568-5200
* A non-contingent civil penalty is the civil penalty that must be paid pursuant to the settlement, regardless of future events or actions of the defendant. If a settlement includes a contingent penalty, the plaintiff should report the additional penalty amount when it becomes due.
