Class actions allege Target, CVS, others falsely advertise peroxide benefits

Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.

Hydrogen peroxide class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Consumers have recently filed class action lawsuits against CVS, Target, Walgreens and Vi-Jon over claims revolving around the companies’ sale of hydrogen peroxide solution. 
• Why: Consumers claim the companies mislead their customers about hydrogen peroxide benefits.
• Where: The class action lawsuits after consumers nationwide. 

Consumers have recently filed a number of complaints arguing that companies mislead them about hydrogen peroxide benefits.

The consumers claim that using hydrogen peroxide is not actually a good way to treat minor cuts and abrasions in spite of companies’ alleged representations to the contrary. 

While hydrogen peroxide was previously believed to be effective in cleaning wounds, it is now thought to be better equipped as a non-medical solution that can be used for cleaning, disinfecting and removing stains, according to Cleveland Clinic. 

CVS peroxide class action alleges retailer misleads consumers about product’s benefits

CVS Pharmacy was hit with a complaint earlier this month alleging the company misleads consumers into believing the hydrogen peroxide product it sells is an effective treatment for minor cuts and abrasions. 

“While the bactericidal effects of hydrogen peroxide can help clean a cut or abrasion and initially kill bacteria, its caustic properties negatively effect healthy cells involved in wound healing,” the CVS peroxide class action states. 

Further, the consumer behind the class action lawsuit claims CVS also misrepresents that its CVS 3% hydrogen peroxide solution can shorten the healing time for a minor cut or abrasion. 

The CVS peroxide class action also alleges the company sells more of its 3% hydrogen peroxide product — and at a higher price than it otherwise could have — had it not been for their alleged misrepresentations about the product. 

Target peroxide class action claims retailer falsely advertises healing effects of up & up hydrogen peroxide solution 

Also this month, Target faced allegations that the hydrogen peroxide solution it sells and advertises as speeding up the healing process actually does the opposite of what it represents. 

The consumer behind the class action lawsuit claims the Target peroxide — sold under the up & up brand — is not actually advisable to be used for treating minor cuts and abrasions. 

“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 peroxide class action states. 

The consumer argues that, while hydrogen peroxide can initially help clean a minor cut or abrasion, it will ultimately negatively affect healthy cells which are able to heal wounds, on account of its caustic properties. 

Marketing the up & up brand hydrogen peroxide solution as a “treatment for minor cuts and abrasions” is thus a false and misleading statement, the Target peroxide class action lawsuit alleges. 

Walgreens peroxide class action claims retailer harms customers with misleading statements about hydrogen peroxide product

Last month, meanwhile, a consumer accused Walgreens of misleading consumers about the safety of using its 3% hydrogen peroxide products on scrapes and cuts. 

The Walgreens customer behind the class action lawsuit accused the company of being guilty of negligent misrepresentation and fraud, among other things, and of being in violation of consumer protection laws. 

The customer similarly cited the Mayo Clinic as alleged evidence that hydrogen peroxide should not be used as a way to treat minor cuts and abrasions. 

“No credible scientific and medical evidence supports this usage of hydrogen peroxide,” the Walgreens peroxide class action states. 

The customer also accused Walgreens of misleadingly labeling its product as “Walgreens Pharmacist Recommended” with the customer arguing the statement  was “contrary to medical and scientific evidence” and “causes consumer harm through promoting purchase of the product,” according to the Walgreens peroxide class action. 

Swan peroxide class action claims product can actually slow healing time, despite representations to contrary

Vi-Jon, the parent company of Swan brand hydrogen peroxide, also faced claims last month that it falsely markets its Swan peroxide product as an effective way to treat abrasions and cuts. 

The consumer behind the class action lawsuit claims Vi-Jon misleadingly markets Swan brand hydrogen peroxide as a way to help prevent the risk of infection.

“The statement that the product will prevent the risk of infection is false because studies show hydrogen peroxide is ineffective in preventing infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns,” the Swan peroxide class action states. 

Have you purchased a hydrogen peroxide product under the impression it would be effective at treating minor cuts and abrasions? Let us know in the comments! 

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Tylenol class action alleges products contain harmful titanium dioxide
• Laxative class action alleges magnesium citrate contaminated with bacteria
• CVS, Walmart, Walgreens to pay $650M for role in Ohio opioid crisis
• Cepacol class action alleges lozenges do not actually contain honey, lemon