Cheerios Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Cereal Contains Herbicide

A consumer recently filed a Cheerios class action lawsuit alleging that the popular heart-healthy cereal contains glyphosate, an herbicide chemical used in weed killers such as Roundup.

Plaintiff Natasha Paracha filed the Cheerios class action lawsuit against General Mills Inc. over claims that Cheerios and other products contain glyphosate.

Glyphosate is a broad spectrum herbicide found in weed killer products such as Roundup and Ranger Pro.

Paracha says she recently purchased a variety of General Mills products including Cheerios, Nature Valley Granola Bars, and Lucky Charms.

These products are often advertised as wholesome and healthy food options. Specifically, Cheerios are advertised as “made with 100% whole grain oats,” with additional claims that the cereal “can help lower cholesterol” and “may reduce the risk of heart disease.”

However, these products may not be as healthy as advertising represents them to be. The Cheerios class action lawsuit points to recent testing done by the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit health and environmental organization, which showed that Cheerios and other General Mills products contain glyphosate.

Glyphosate may be a dangerous chemical according to recent allegations. Thousands of Roundup consumers have filed lawsuits against Monsanto, recently acquired by Bayer, claiming that glyphosate can cause cancer. These claims are supported by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which classifies glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”

The General Mills, Cheerios class action lawsuit claims that because glyphosate is widely used as an herbicide on wheat products the chemical can contaminate the wheat used to produce Cheerios and other General Mills products.

The plaintiff further claims that General Mills, as the manufacturer and distributor, knew that the products contained glyphosate but did not warn consumers. Instead, the company allegedly chose to take advantage of the trend towards healthier, more wholesome food by deceiving their consumers into believing that their products were of a higher quality.

Paracha is one of two plaintiffs participating in a similar class action lawsuit regarding Bob’s Red Mill products, alleging that these wheat products are also contaminated by glyphosate. The same counsel is representing Paracha in both of her glyphosate wheat product class action lawsuits.

In her Cheerios class action, Paracha seeks to represent two Classes. First, she seeks to represent a multi-state Class of consumers who purchased the General Mills products in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Washington. Second, she seeks to represent a California Class of consumers from the golden state who purchased the General Mills products.

The Cheerios class action lawsuit seeks restitution, disgorgement, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Plaintiffs are represented by Patricia N. Syverson, Manfred P. Muecke, Elaine A. Ryan, and Carrie A. Laliberte of Bonnett Fairbourn Friedman & Balint PC; and Stewart M. Weltman, Todd L. McLawhorn and Michael Chang of Siprut PC.

The Cheerios Herbicide Class Action Lawsuit is Paracha v. General Mills Inc., Case No. 2:18-cv-07659, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.