Walmart’s line of baby foods is called Parent’s Choice. It includes snacks, “rice rusks,” and traditional jars of pureed foods. But the complaint for this class action alleges that the baby foods contain toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, that threaten children’s health and well-being. The complaint refers to a Congressional Subcommittee Report of February 4, 2021 as evidence.
The National Class for this action is all persons in the US who bought one or more of the products, from the beginning of the applicable statutory period. There is also a California Class, for people in California who bought the products and a Multi-State Class for people in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Washington who bought the products.
Walmart markets its baby foods a being fit for children to consume; some are advertised as organic. The complaint quotes statements from Walmart’s website, for example: “Made with whole grains and wholesome strawberry yogurt, these yummy puffed morsels make for an enjoyable bite to eat. We offer everything you need from bath time to bed time and every time in between, all with the high quality we know your little one needs.” Also: “Since 1998, Walmart’s Parent’s Choice has been trusted by parents across the country to provide quality, affordable baby products.”
However, the complaint alleges that Walmart’s statements have been “deceptive and misleading,” containing misrepresentations and omissions.
The Congressional report the complaint cites is titled, “Baby Foods Are Tainted with Dangerous Levels of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury.” It was issued by the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, Committee on Oversight and Reform.
The Subcommittee was investigating reports of toxic heavy metals in baby foods. “According to the Congressional Report,” the complaint says, Walmart’s “ingredients tested positively for arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury.”
The complaint goes on to report something even more worrying, quoting now from the report: “Walmart refused to produce any documents showing its internal testing policies, its testing results, or how Walmart treats ingredients and/or products that surpass any internal standards. Walmart’s evasion is concerning, as even limited independent testing has revealed the presence of toxic heavy metals in its baby food.”
Other companies did participate in the investigation, providing their internal materials and testing results.
Using the abbreviation for “parts per billion” (ppb), the complaint alleges, “according to the Congressional Report, the [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)] has expressed concern regarding arsenic levels about 100 ppb in infant rice cereals, arsenic above 10 ppb in drinking water, lead above 5 ppb in drinking water, lead above 50 ppb in juice products, and cadmium above 5 ppb in drinking water. [Walmart’s] Products routinely tested at levels exceeding those limits.”
The report also says, “Children’s exposure to toxic heavy metals causes permanent decreases in IQ, diminished future economic productivity, and increased risk of future criminal and antisocial behavior.”
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Walmart Parent’s Choice Heavy Metals in Baby Food Complaint
May 17, 2021
Walmart’s line of baby foods is called Parent’s Choice. It includes snacks, “rice rusks,” and traditional jars of pureed foods. But the complaint for this class action alleges that the baby foods contain toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, that threaten children’s health and well-being. The complaint refers to a Congressional Subcommittee Report of February 4, 2021 as evidence.
Walmart Parent’s Choice Heavy Metals in Baby Food ComplaintCase Event History
Walmart Parent’s Choice Heavy Metals in Baby Food Complaint
May 17, 2021
Walmart’s line of baby foods is called Parent’s Choice. It includes snacks, “rice rusks,” and traditional jars of pureed foods. But the complaint for this class action alleges that the baby foods contain toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, that threaten children’s health and well-being. The complaint refers to a Congressional Subcommittee Report of February 4, 2021 as evidence.
Walmart Parent’s Choice Heavy Metals in Baby Food Complaint