Target class action alleges hydrogen peroxide benefits falsely advertised

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Target hydrogen peroxide class action overview: 

• Who: A New York man is suing Target over its hydrogen peroxide solution.
• Why: The plaintiff says the product is marketed as being a treatment for minor cuts when it can actually slow the healing of cuts.
• Where: The case was filed in New York federal court.

Target makes and markets a hydrogen peroxide product that purports to help healing when the product could actually slow the process, a new class action lawsuit alleges.

Plaintiff John Solak filed the class action lawsuit against Target Corporation Aug. 1 in a New York federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws. 

Target makes and markets a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution identified as a first aid antiseptic and promoted “for treatment of minor cuts and abrasions” under the up & up brand, Solak explains in the Target class action.

However, while hydrogen peroxide may reduce the number of bacteria at a wound, no credible evidence supports a connection between the number of bacteria and reduction in healing time of a clean wound, he alleges.

“While hydrogen peroxide has antiseptic properties, the Mayo Clinic and numerous medical studies advise that it does not help treat minor cuts and abrasions,” the Target class action states. “While the bactericidal effects of hydrogen peroxide can help clean a cut or abrasion and initially kill bacteria, its caustic properties negatively affect healthy cells involved in wound healing.”

Target class action claims plaintiff wouldn’t have paid listed price for product had he known representations were misleading

Marketing the product as being a tool “for treatment of minor cuts and abrasions” tells purchasers it will assist in the healing process and shorten healing time, yet this statement is false and misleading, the Target class action says.

He says he wouldn’t have bought the hydrogen peroxide product if he knew the representations were misleading or at least would have paid less for it.

Solak looks to represent a class of New York consumers who bought the product plus a class of consumers who bought the product in Maine, Montana, Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Alabama, Utah, Indiana and Nebraska.

He’s suing under state consumer laws and for fraud and unjust enrichment and seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.  

The owner of Swan brand hydrogen peroxide was also hit with a class action lawsuit in July alleging similar claims. 

Also in July, an Illinois resident filed a class action lawsuit against Walgreens over its hydrogen peroxide.

Do you think you were misled by hydrogen peroxide marketing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! 

The plaintiff is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates, P.C.

The Target hydrogen peroxide class action lawsuit is John Solak v. Target Corporation, Case No. 3:22-cv-00813-TJM-ML, in the U.S. District Court Northern District of New York.

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