Lead product recalls, class action lawsuits overview:
- Who: Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against WanaBana and Procter & Gamble. Companies also recalled WanaBana and children’s dress-up playsets.
- Why: Consumers and companies are concerned about unsafe levels of lead.
- Where: The lead product recalls and class action lawsuits are relevant to consumers nationwide.
Consumers filed lawsuits and companies initiated recalls recently over concerns involving unsafe levels of lead in products such as applesauce and children’s toys.
Exposure to lead can lead to adverse health effects, including developmental delay and learning disabilities in children and cardiovascular problems and kidney damage in adults, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
WanaBana faces class action lawsuits, recall over lead contamination
A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against WanaBana in late December, arguing the company failed to disclose some of its applesauce products contain unsafe levels of lead.
The consumer claims WanaBana risked consumer health by allegedly failing to inform customers its applesauce products contained unsafe levels of lead.
“Lead consumption has been shown to reduce intelligence,and to increase the risk of mental illness, dementia, hypertension, arrhythmia and breast cancer,” the WanaBana class action lawsuit states.
A group of 18 consumers filed a similar class action lawsuit against WanaBana only one day later, arguing the company failed to disclose its applesauce and fruit puree pouches contained high levels of lead.
The consumers argue WanaBana failed to sufficiently monitor its products for the presence of lead, despite allegedly being aware of the contamination risk.
“Information regarding the true nature and/or presence of dangerous materials like lead in the products was and is in the exclusive possession of WanaBana and not available to consumers,” the WanaBana class action lawsuit states.
WanaBana voluntarily recalled all lots of its WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée pouches and cinnamon applesauce Nov. 9 following reports of elevated levels of lead in the products.
The company said at that time it was working with the FDA to determine the source of the contamination, following four reports of illnesses connected to the high levels of lead.
The recall came less than a week after the FDA advised consumers not to purchase or feed the WanaBana fruit purée pouches to toddlers or young children.
Metamucil fiber supplements contain dangerous levels of lead, class action says
A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Procter & Gamble last month, arguing the company falsely advertises its Metamucil branded products are healthy and effective when they allegedly contain added sugars and dangerous lead levels.
Independent laboratory testing in July 2023 determined Metamucil contains lead content that significantly exceeds the daily allowable limit under California’s Proposition 65, the Metamucil class action alleges.
“At high levels of exposure, lead attacks the brain and central nervous system and can cause convulsions, comas and death,” the Metamucil class action lawsuit states. “Moreover, children who survive lead poisoning may be left intellectually disabled or with behavioral disorders.”
Children’s dress-up playsets recalled over lead in excess of federal content ban
Last month, a recall was initiated for Little City- and Little Pritti-branded premier dress-up playsets imported by Perch, Musty and Bingo Deals over concerns they contain levels of lead in excess of the federal lead content ban.
The recall, which also includes Prextex brand slime eggs, was also initiated over concern the children’s dress-up playsets contain levels of certain phthalates exceeding the federal phthalate standard.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled children’s dress-up playsets and slime eggs and contact Perch to receive information on how to dispose of the product and get a full refund.
EPA proposes replacing all lead pipes in US over next 10 years
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposal Nov. 30 that aims to replace all lead pipes in the United States in the next 10 years due to concerns over the irreversible health effects associated with lead in drinking water.
The proposal, which the agency says it plans to finalize by Oct. 16, 2024, also requires all water systems to regularly update their inventories, create a publicly available service line replacement plan and identify what materials make up service lines made with materials that are currently unknown.
The EPA says the proposal will also improve tap water sampling and puts in protections that will reduce lead exposure, with the proposal lowering lead action levels from 15 micrograms per liter to 10 micrograms per liter.
Have you been affected by a recent product recall or class action lawsuit involving lead? Let us know in the comments.
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