Wet Ones class action alleges antibacterial wipes do not kill 99.99% of germs as advertised

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Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes Class Action Lawsuit Overview: 

• Who: Nancy Leboeuf filed a class action lawsuit against Edgewell Personal Care Company. 
• Why: Leboeuf claims Edgewell misleads consumers about the efficacy of its Wet Ones brand Antibacterial Hand Wipes. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court. 

Edgewell Personal Care misleads and deceives consumers by falsely marketing and labeling that its Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes “Kills 99.99% of Germs,” a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

Plaintiff Nancy Leboeuf claims Edgwell’s Wet Ones products contain Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC), which she argues is proven to be “ineffective at killing non-enveloped viruses, certain gram-negative bacteria and spores.” 

“BAC-based disinfectants such as Defendants’ Products are ineffective at killing many germs commonly transmitted through human hands,” states the Wet Ones class action. 

Leboeuf wants to represent a New York Class of consumers who have purchased Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes within the past four years. 

Efficacy Of Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes Not As High As Stated

Edgewell, Leboeuf argues, is aware it has been “scientifically proven that BAC-based products do not kill 99.99% of germs and that no evidence supports their claim that the Products kills 99.99% of germs.” 

Leboeuf claims further that, by making an efficacy claim to the hundredth digit and not placing a modifier between “99.99%” and “of germs,” Edgewell is attempting to “create the clear impression that it has been scientifically proven that their Products kill 99.99% of all germs.” 

“Defendants’ Product labels are therefore materially misleading, in that they plainly state, in a manner giving the impression that it has been scientifically proven, that their Products kill 99.99% of germs, when studies show that it does not kill many types of germs,” states the Wet Ones class action. 

Leboeuf claims Edgewell is guilty of fraud and unjust enrichment and in violation of New York General Business Law. 

Plaintiff is demanding a jury trial and requesting injunctive and declaratory relief along with actual, statutory, treble, and punitive damages for herself and all Class Members. 

It was rumored that Walmart may have to recall its Parent’s Choice brand baby wipes last month after reports of parents discovering possible issues with the product. 

Have you purchased Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes? Let us know in the comments! 

The plaintiff is represented by Thiago M. Coelho, Robert Dart, Carolin Shining, Jonas Mann, Jesse Chen, and Jennifer Leinbach of Wilshire Law Firm, PLC, and Daniel A. Schlanger of Schlanger Law Group LLP. 

The Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes Class Action Lawsuit is Leboeuf v. Edgewell Personal Care Company, et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-00642, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.

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