Ziploc facing class action lawsuit over alleged undisclosed microplastics
A California woman is suing S.C. Johnson, the maker of Ziploc, because she says some of its products contain undisclosed microplastics that mislead and harm consumers.
Linda Cheslow of Santa Rosa, California, filed a class action complaint in U.S. District Court for Northern California on April 25, according to court records.
Cheslow's complaint alleges that some Ziploc products marketed as microwave or freezer safe release microplastics when they are microwaved or frozen, making them "fundamentally unfit" for their advertised use.
It called S.C. Johnson's alleged misrepresentation "unfair, unlawful, deceptive and misleading."
The lawsuit is a class action, meaning it has been filed on behalf of anyone around the country who has purchased the products.
In a statement to Paste BN, a spokesperson for S.C. Johnson said, “we believe Ziploc products are safe when used as directed and the claims in this lawsuit are without merit."
"Plastic is in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe, and it comes from many sources. That’s why we are strong advocates for plastic regulation, supporting a global plastics treaty, and sharing the latest scientific research," the statement said.
Bahar Sodaify, a member of Cheslow's legal counsel and partner at Clarkson Law Firm, said in a statement to Paste BN that the labeling of S.C. Johnson's Ziploc products "are creating the reasonable impression that they are safe to use."
"The plaintiff and members of the class have unwittingly exposed themselves and their families to undisclosed microplastics during routine kitchen practices, all at the expense of S.C. Johnson failing to disclose to consumers the possible dangers of using their product," Sodaify said.
Lawsuit against Ziploc raises concern over possible microplastics
The lawsuit alleges Ziploc's bags and containers labeled "microwave safe" and "freezer" imply that they are safe to use in those appliances.
However, the lawsuit claims the products are made from materials that release microplastics when used in the microwave or freezer, which are "then leached into consumers' food."
"The Material Omission is meaningful to consumers as studies show that the ingestion of microplastics poses serious health risks, including potential harm to the digestive tract, immune system and reproductive system," the lawsuit says.
What are microplastics? Are they harmful?
Microplastics are small plastic particles that come from broken down plastics, according to a study in the National Library of Medicine.
Research shows that microwave heating of plastic containers releases a high amount of microplastics into the food inside, according to a 2023 study in the Environmental Science & Technology journal. The same study found that refrigeration in plastic containers releases high amounts of microplastics over the course of six months.
Over time, ingesting a lot of microplastics can cause a variety of health issues, according to the Environmental Working Group.
Which products are included in the Ziploc class action lawsuit?
The products included in the lawsuit are Ziploc bags and containers labeled "microwave safe," "freezer" or both.
According to the initial complaint, they include but are not limited to:
- Ziploc Freezer Bags Pint/Small
- Ziploc Freezer Bags Quart/Medium
- Ziploc 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 Container
What could happen in the case against Ziploc?
A class action is a type of civil lawsuit brought on behalf of a group of people who have been harmed in the same way by the same entity, according to Harvard Law School. A court has to certify a lawsuit as a class action before it proceeds as one.
In a class action lawsuit where a settlement is reached, members of the class who opt into the case receive an equal portion of the money.
The plaintiff in the lawsuit against S.C. Johnson is pushing for the class in the case to be defined as all consumers nationwide who have purchased the products within an applicable statute of limitations period.
For consumers in California, the complaint requested the statute of limitations to be defined as the last four years.
This story has been updated to add a statement from S.C. Johnson and a statement from plaintiff's legal counsel.
Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for Paste BN. She can be reached at MKhan@gannett.com.