SHOPPERS who purchased Ziploc bags could receive payouts following a class action lawsuit.
The lawsuit relates to products made with potentially dangerous plastics.
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Millions of Ziploc bag users could soon receive settlement checks after a California woman filed a class action lawsuit against the company.
The lawsuit alleges that the brand misled consumers about the safety of its products.
The complaint was filed April 25 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.
It comes from plaintiff Linda Cheslow and names SC Johnson & Son, Inc. as the defendant.
CAUSE OF ACTION
Cheslow claims that various Ziploc products were falsely marketed as “microwave safe” and “suitable for freezer use.”
These include freezer and slider bags, as well as Ziploc containers.
The bags are made with polyethylene and polypropylene, which Cheslow says can break down under extreme temperatures and release harmful microplastics, despite their marketing.
“Defendant affirmatively represents that the Products are ‘Microwave Safe,’ and/or fit for the ‘Freezer,’ leading consumers to believe they are fit to be microwaved and frozen without risk of microplastics leaching into their food,” the lawsuit alleges.
IMPACTED PRODUCTS
Cheslow specifically lists Ziploc Freezer Bags in pint, quart, and gallon sizes, Slider Freezer Bags, and Ziploc Containers among the products affected.
By using these items as advertised, consumers may have unknowingly exposed themselves and their families to microplastic contamination, according to the complaint.
Microplastics, which are plastic fragments under 5 millimeters in length, have been found in human brains, testicles, and even blood.
Research shows they can disrupt hormones, damage DNA, and contribute to illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Cheslow contends that the company has failed to warn consumers of the risks associated with using the bags under normal conditions.
WHO’S AFFECTED
She is suing under California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and Consumers Legal Remedies Act.
The lawsuit seeks class action certification, restitution, damages, and a court order to stop the alleged false marketing.
A subclass is also proposed specifically for California residents.
Ziploc products mentioned in the lawsuit
- Ziploc Freezer Bags Pint/Small, Freezer Bags Quart/Medium and Freezer Bags Gallon/Large
- Ziploc Slider Freezer Bags Quart/Medium
- Ziploc Slider Freezer Gallon/Large Bags
- Ziploc Slider Storage Bags Quart/Medium
- Ziploc Slider Storage Bags Gallon/Large
- Ziploc Containers
If approved, the lawsuit could pave the way for financial relief, including checks.
Payments will be available to anyone who purchased the listed Ziploc products under the impression that they were safe to use in microwaves or freezers.
Cheslow’s complaint argues that SC Johnson was unjustly enriched by these sales and calls for punitive penalties in addition to compensation.
The lawsuit highlights the growing concern over the effect of microplastics on the human body and the ecosystem.
