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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.
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186 thoughts onOrijen, Acana Dog Food Contains Arsenic, Class Action Claims
please add me
Please add me as well. I have a Jack Russell that we got from 8 weeks old and he came with 3 months of food which we donated assuming that we purchase this brand from the owner’s recommendation from the pet store we went to. It came with a preminum price tag, but we wanted the best for our Marlo so we didn’t care. After sometime, we found that it was too strong for him (had to take him to the vet constantly because of diarrhea, we added pumpkin, got medicine). We then spoke with the owner because we thought the vet knew nothing and could not resolve the issue, so we asked the owner again, now from a different pet store and they recommended Acana. Had the same issues after a while so now we have him on Zignature and he seems fine. They have a 4-5 star and are not as costly, most importantly they have not had any recent recalls and hopefully will never have any.
Add me to this law suit
My two poodles passed away from this dog food.
Please tell me this is not true… as I have been feeding my dogs Orijen for years now knowing it was expensive and thinking it was the best possible dog food for my pets. I admit I was concerned when the processing went from Canada to Kentucky. My dogs started to have problems with Orijen and I tried one time some of the different varieties, resulting in diarrhea, and other problems I now see listed as issues. I thought possibly it was to rich for them as they were getting older so I went to the Acana Grasslands about 1-2 years ago which seemed to be a good improvement for them. I have noticed health issues with both and was thinking they are just getting older… but now I am worried and heart broken if this is true that the product is unsafe. I wish to be included and informed if this has merit.
i would like to know the outcome of this.. i feed my dogs this thinking i’m giving them the best.
I have a chihuahua and had been eating pedigree since birth please add us to the claim
me too I also feed this and I’m on a limited income but want my dogs to be as healthy as they can be and pay this because It says its healthy and natural. I’m tired of being lied to.
Please add me. I buy this product as this is the only product Maverick has ever eaten. I have been thinking this is healthier for him. He has gotten sick a few times and wouldn’t eat. How can companies betray people’s trust. This product is not cheap. I gladly pay more thinking I am buying a better dog food.
This is not the case.
Pommarra fell ill and passed on
Please add me I have 2 Chihuahuas tired of thinking Im feeding my dogs the best food. Come to find out I making them sick by being lied to from these companies.