This class action alleges that Church & Dwight violates consumer protection laws in the marketing and design of Baby Orajel Naturals teething tablets, Baby Orajel Naturals teething gel and Baby Orajel Naturals nighttime teething gel.
Church & Dwight sell a brand of baby teething products under the label Baby Orajel Naturals. These products include:
Baby Orajel Naturals teething tablets,
Baby Orajel Naturals teething gel, and
Baby Orajel Naturals nighttime teething gel.
The complaint alleges that those supposedly “natural” products however contain many synthetic chemicals, including:
- Calcarea Phosphorica is a white, amorphous, tasteless, odorless powder. It is extracted from bones by dissolving them in hydrochloric acid and precipitating with ammonium hydroxide.
- Sodium benzoate is produced by the neutralization of benzoic acid with sodium hydroxide, or by adding benzoic acid to a hot concentrated solution of sodium carbonate until effervescence ceases. The solution is then evaporated, cooled and allowed to crystalize or evaporate to dryness, and then granulated. It does not occur naturally. Sodium benzoate has been shown to cause DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations. When sodium benzoate combines with ascorbic acid (an ingredient common in many food products) the two substances can react to produce benzene, which is a highly toxic carcinogen.
- Potassium Sorbate is created by using potassium hydroxide (KOH) to neutralize sorbic acid Studies have shown Potassium Sorbate to have genotoxic effects on humans and other mammals. It causes chromosomal aberrations in cells, which can trigger the development of cancer.
- Magnesium Stearate is a white powder synthesized by the reaction of sodium stearate and magnesium sulfate. Magnesium stearate is used as a lubricant for pharmaceutical preparations and as an anti-sticking agent in medical devices.
- Glycerin is a factory-produced texturizer that is created by complex processing. It is commonly used as a filler and thickening agent. It requires multiple processing steps in an industrial environment to create Glycerin.
- Hydroxyethylcellulose is a modified cellulose polymer. It is used as a gelling and thickening agent.
- Sorbic Acid is a chemical preservative. It is produced commercially by condensing crotonaldehyde and ketene in the presence of boron trifluoride.
The lawsuit alleges that calling its products natural while knowingly adding the above chemicals violates state consumer protection laws.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
No case events.
