What Does "Dishwasher Safe" Mean?

Walgreens sells Complete Home Heavy Duty plastic cutlery. The front and the back of the packaging are labeled "DISHWASHER SAFE" and "HEAVY DUTY" in all caps. On the bottom of the box, however, there's a disclaimer that says, "DISHWASHER SAFE IF CLEANED ON THE TOP RACK." Was it deceptive for Walgreens to prominently promote that its heavy duty plastic cutlery was "dishwasher safe" while only disclosing the limitations on the bottom of the box? That was the issue in a recent case in federal court in Illinois.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleged that the phrases "dishwasher safe" and "heavy duty" are misleading, since they communicate that the cutlery can be washed anywhere in the dishwasher. She argued that this is particularly relevant here, since a dishwasher's cutlery basket is ordinarily located on the bottom rack of the dishwasher. She sued, alleging that when she washed the cutlery in her dishwasher, it melted!