Orijen, Acana Dog Food Contains Arsenic, Class Action Claims

A new class action lawsuit has been filed alleging that Orijen and Acana dog food contains arsenic and other heavy metals that are dangerous for pets.

Plaintiff Kellie Loeb recently filed a class action lawsuit against Champion Petfoods alleging that their dog food contains arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. The dog food in question is sold under the brand names Orijen and Acana.

According to the class action lawsuit, Champion’s advertising states that Orijen “features FRESH, RAW or DEHYDRATED ingredients, from minimally processed poultry, fish and eggs that are deemed fit for human consumption prior to inclusion in our foods.”

Allegedly, a 25-pound bag of dog food can cost more than $80, up to four times the price of other competitors. The Orijen, Acana dog food class action lawsuit alleges that consumers pay a higher price because the food is represented as healthy and fresh.

The class action lawsuit argues that Champion dog food contains dangerous levels of heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. On average, the products contain 890 micrograms of arsenic per kilogram of food, 230 micrograms of lead per kilogram of food, 90 micrograms of cadmium per kilogram of food, and 20 micrograms of mercury per kilogram of food.

In comparison, chicken, turkey, and eggs contain anywhere from zero to six micrograms per kilogram of the heavy metals. The data, given in a paper published by Champion Petfoods, shows heavy metal concentrations that are much higher than in food humans consider safe to eat.

These metals are considered toxic to both humans and dogs. Heavy metals tend to accumulate in dogs, so long-term exposure, even in small amounts, can allegedly cause serious health problems. Dogs experiencing metal poisoning may exhibit vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, weakness, blood in stool, staggering, hysteria, seizures, blindness, loss of consciousness, or death.

The Orijen, Acana class action lawsuit claims that Champion falsely represents and advertises its dog food as safe, fresh, and healthy when in reality, the dog food contains arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. Loeb argues that Champion uses deceptive advertising to induce consumers into paying exorbitant prices for their dog food products. By this logic, the consumers did not get what they paid for as advertised and are owed money back, according to the plaintiff.

“Plaintiff and other members of the Class purchased Defendant’s products to their detriment because they paid a premium price expecting the goods to conform to the representations on the Products’ labels that the Products contained high quality, healthy ingredients that would be fit for human consumption,” the Orijen, Acana dog food class action lawsuit states.

Loeb seeks to represent a Class of consumers in Wisconsin who purchased a Champion dry dog food product on or after March 28, 2015. The Orijen, Acana class action lawsuit seeks a Class certification, a trial by jury, damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

The plaintiff is represented by Ben Barnow and Erich Schork of Barnow and Associates PC; and Shpetim Ademi, John Blythin, and Mark Eldridge of Ademi and O’Reilly LLP.

The Orijen, Acana Dog Food Class Action Lawsuit is Loeb v. Champion Petfoods USA Inc., et al., Case No. 2:18-cv-00494-NJ, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

UPDATE April 11, 2018: A second Orijen, Acana Dog Food Class Action Lawsuit claiming the dog food contains arsenic, lead, and mercury has been filed in Ohio federal court.