Vi-Jon, LLC is one of the oldest companies making personal care products in the US. One of its products is Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxatives. But the complaint for this class action alleges that, unknown to those who buy these products, they may be contaminated with Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens bacteria, which can be harmful or even fatal to some consumers.
The class for this action is all consumers who bought the product anywhere in the US during the applicable statute of limitations period. A New York subclass has also been proposed for those in the above class who bought the products in New York.
The complaint describes Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens as “a gram-negative bacterium that grows best in sucrose-rich mediums such as sugarcame sap. Due to this,” the complaint alleges, “Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens occurs mainly in sugary, acidic, and alcoholic habitats, and can develop during the manufacturing process of fruit juice and citrus products,” such as the Vi-Jon products.
Vi-Jon therefore has complete control over the contamination or purity of the products made in its facilities, the complaint claims, and can prevent the contamination of the products.
The complaint alleges that the bacteria can cause infections and have serious health consequences for those who ingest it. It is particularly dangerous for immunocompromised people, the complaint claims, and can even cause death to them.
According to the complaint, Vi-Jon “has issued, to date, three voluntary recalls of the Products.” The complaint alleges that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “labelled the recalls with a Class One designation, which is the FDA’s most serious recall classification as it warns that the use of the affected product could cause serious adverse health consequences.”
Although the products, like all such products, bear labels listing their active and inactive ingredients, the complaint alleges that Vi-Jon does not reveal anywhere that the products may contain these dangerous bacteria. To demonstrate this, the complaint reproduces images of the front, back, and side labels of various versions of the products.
The purpose of the products is to relieve constipation, also known as irregularity. According to the notes on the packaging, it is expected to work in anywhere from a half an hour to six hours after a person has taken it.
The list of specific products that may contain the bacteria can be found in the footnotes on pages 1 and 2 of the complaint. It is quite long and contains brand names such as Equate, HEB, and Signature Care, because Vi-Jon makes private-label products for large corporations, including CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, Krogers, and Publix.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Vi-Jon Private Label Laxatives May Contain Bacteria Complaint
August 5, 2022
Vi-Jon, LLC is one of the oldest companies making personal care products in the US. One of its products is Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxatives. But the complaint for this class action alleges that, unknown to those who buy these products, they may be contaminated with Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens bacteria, which can be harmful or even fatal to some consumers.
Vi-Jon Private Label Laxatives May Contain Bacteria ComplaintCase Event History
Vi-Jon Private Label Laxatives May Contain Bacteria Complaint
August 5, 2022
Vi-Jon, LLC is one of the oldest companies making personal care products in the US. One of its products is Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxatives. But the complaint for this class action alleges that, unknown to those who buy these products, they may be contaminated with Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens bacteria, which can be harmful or even fatal to some consumers.
Vi-Jon Private Label Laxatives May Contain Bacteria Complaint