Vega Protein Powder Contains Toxic Minerals, Class Action Says

A consumer alleges in a new class action lawsuit that the makers of Vega Protein Powders and Shakes fail to disclose the high levels of lead and cadmium in the products.

Lead plaintiff Andrew Bland claims in the Vega Protein class action lawsuit that Sequel Natural and WhiteWave Food Co. market Vega Protein Powders and Protein Shakes as healthy and natural “plant based” nutrition.

However, the Vega class action lawsuit says the protein powder and shakes actually contain heavy metals at such high levels of lead and cadmium both of which are considered toxic under California law.

“Unfortunately for consumers, the heightened levels of lead and cadmium found in the Vega Products are known by the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and other health risks,” alleges the Vega Protein class action lawsuit.

“The amount of these toxic heavy metals present in a single serving of the Vega Products is sufficient to expose consumers to a substantial risk of birth defects and other reproductive harm.”

According to the plaintiff in the Vega Protein class action lawsuit, he and other consumers purchased the products based on representations that they were healthy and superior to similar shakes and powders on the market.

Advertising for Vega products included statements such as “made with REAL plant based FOOD ingredients,” and reportedly touted ingredients like plant protein, greens, and chia seeds.

The plaintiff says that he and other health conscious consumers would have had no way of knowing about the high levels of lead and cadmium in the Vega products.

“Indeed, the amount of heavy metals in the Vega Products violates California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (‘Proposition 65’),” alleges the Vega Protein class action lawsuit.

Proposition 65, or Prop 65, is a California law that requires companies to either limit the amount of certain chemicals in their products or provide a warning to consumers. Under Prop 65, a list of substances known to cause harm to human health is maintained and evaluated.

“Lead is dangerous to humans, and can affect almost every organ and system in the body,” alleges the Vega Protein class action lawsuit. “Lead accumulates in the body over time, and can lead to health risks and toxicity, including inhibiting neurological function, anemia, kidney damage, seizures, and in extreme cases, comas and death.”

Similarly, “Cadmium is also dangerous to humans and exposure can cause cancer of the lung and may cause cancer of the prostate and kidney,” states the Vega Protein class action lawsuit. “Cadmium can also cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.”

Bland claims in the Vega Protein class action lawsuit that Sequel Natural and WhiteWave Food Co. should have warned consumers about the levels of lead and cadmium allegedly in their products.

“Reasonable consumers across the country would not have purchased the Vega Products if they had known that they contained heightened lead and cadmium, or would have purchased them on different terms,” states the Vega Protein class action lawsuit.

The Vega class action lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide Class of consumers who purchased Vega products.

The plaintiff is seeking not only damages, but a court order requiring Sequel Natural and WhiteWave Food Co. to conduct a corrective advertising campaign.

Bland is represented by L. Timothy Fisher, Joel D. Smith, and Thomas A. Reyda of Bursor & Fisher PA.

The Vega Protein Class Action Lawsuit is Bland v. Sequel Natural LTD., et al., Case No. 3:18-cv-04767-JCS, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.