Latest news with #AboutLawsuits
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ziploc Is Facing A New Lawsuit Related To Potential Microplastic Exposure. Should You Toss Yours?
Microplastics have been in the news quite a bit in recent months after several studies pointed to potential links to health risks. In April, a new class action lawsuit claims that Ziploc bags and containers contain undisclosed microplastics that can harm consumers. A spokesperson from SC Johnson says that "Ziploc products are safe when used as directed and that the lawsuit is without merit." Ziploc bags and containers have been such a presence in Americans' lives for decades that most people don't even think twice about using them. But a new class action lawsuit is raising a lot of questions about the safety of this food storage staple. The lawsuit, which was filed on April 25 by California resident Linda Cheslow and shared by About Lawsuits, alleges that Ziploc bags and containers contain undisclosed microplastics that can harm consumers, and that marketing them as "microwave safe" and suitable for "freezer" use is misleading, since they're made from "materials that scientific and medical evidence shows release microplastics when microwaved and frozen." A spokesperson for SC Johnson says that the company believes "Ziploc products are safe when used as directed and that the lawsuit is without merit. Microplastics have unfortunately become pervasive in our environment — in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe, and they come from many sources. For families concerned about these issues, we share the concern and have been working for years to raise awareness, push for global plastic regulation, and invest in smarter solutions." In case you're not familiar with them, microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that have become pervasive in the environment, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. They have also been detected in human and animal tissue. Microplastics have, unfortunately, been linked to a slew of potential health issues lately, including heart disease and dementia, making this lawsuit a hot topic. Here's what the lawsuit claims, plus what toxicologists want you to keep in mind. Meet the experts: Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Health; Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University The lawsuit is filed against Ziploc maker S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. It's a class-action lawsuit, which means it was filed on behalf of anyone around the country who has bought Ziploc bags and products. The suit alleges that some Ziploc products are marketed as microwave- or freezer-safe but release microplastics when they're microwaved or frozen. This makes them 'fundamentally unfit' for what they're advertised for, the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit says that the company's claims are 'unfair, unlawful, deceptive, and misleading' for consumers. SC Johnson, on the other hand, has told Women's Health its products are safe when used as directed. The suit specifically flags these products, but notes that these aren't the only ones that may contain microplastics: 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 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. did not respond to Women's Health's request for comment by deadline. The company says online that its bags and 'Endurables' line are made without BPA or phthalates, but doesn't elaborate on what they're actually made of. The lawsuit claims that Ziploc bags and containers are made with polyethylene and polypropylene, both of which have been linked to the release of microplastics when they're microwaved or frozen. Microplastics and their potential health risks have been all over the news lately, so it's understandable to have questions about the ways you might come into contact with them, and how that might impact your health. Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, says that it would 'logical to believe that all plastic products come with some level of personal and environmental risk." Scientists are still trying to parse the potential impact of microplastics on health but, as previously mentioned, there is some research linking these particles to dementia and heart disease. Microplastics have also been linked to oxidative stress, or an an imbalance of unstable molecules called free radicals in the body and not enough antioxidants to get rid of them. Long-term oxidative stress has been tied to the development of chronic inflammation, cancer, and other diseases. Still, 'we aren't totally sure what the long-term consequences of exposure to microplastics is,' Alan says. 'It is important to remember that it is likely the cumulative exposure to microplastics that will determine the long-term impact,' she adds. Overall, Alan recommends minimizing your use of plastic containers when you can. 'There are other bag alternatives, like wax paper bags,' she says. 'Glass or metal containers would also be an option.' Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Health also suggests being aware of your plastic use—and avoiding heat when you use plastic containers. "It is nearly impossible to entirely avoid exposure to microplastics in our daily lives, but reducing our use of single-use plastic products may be beneficial for the environment as well as human health," she says. "Avoid reheating food in plastic containers when possible." You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ziploc Is Facing a Class Action Lawsuit Over Its ‘Microwave Safe' Labeling
A class action lawsuit is accusing Ziploc's parent company, S.C. Johnson, of misleading consumers by labeling its plastic bags as 'microwave safe' and freezer-friendly. The suit claims the bags contain polyethylene and polypropylene, which may shed microplastics when heated or frozen, posing potential health risks to users. Plaintiffs argue that consumers were unknowingly exposed to microplastics due to deceptive labeling, and experts warn this highlights broader concerns about plastic use in everyday food is in hot water over what some consumers call deceptive advertising. On May 8, About Lawsuits reported that Linda Cheslow, a California resident, has filed a class action lawsuit against Ziploc's parent company S.C. Johnson & Son Inc., explicitly stating that some of its Ziploc bags have the potential to release microplastics under "extreme temperatures," including when they are placed in a microwave or the freezer, as they are made with polyethylene and polypropylene, both of which are petroleum-derived products. The complaint noted that Ziploc markets its Ziploc bags and containers as 'Microwave Safe' and suitable for 'Freezer' use, which the suit says creates the "reasonable impression that they are fit for use in the microwave and freezer." It added, "In reality, these products are made from polyethylene and polypropylene — materials that scientific and medical evidence shows release microplastics when microwaved and frozen — making them fundamentally unfit for microwave and freezer use." The complaint noted that consumers relied on these "false misrepresentations" and "unwittingly exposed themselves and their families to undisclosed microplastics during routine kitchen practices." Related: Your Favorite Gum Is Shedding Microplastics, According to a New UCLA Study The specific products mentioned in the complaint include the company's Freezer Bags in pint/small size, quart/medium, and gallon/large, Ziploc Slider Freezer Bags in quart/medium and gallon/large, Ziploc Slider Storage Bags in quart/medium and gallon/large, and Ziploc Containers. The complaint also included multiple images of the products with the wording "microwave safe" clearly printed on the label. As Food & Wine previously explained, microplastics are defined as tiny plastic pieces less than five millimeters in size. They're found nearly everywhere — including in the human heart. One study even estimated that 170 trillion plastic particles are floating in the ocean right now. While research on how these microplastics affect us is ongoing (though some studies do show that microplastics can damage human cells), it will likely be impossible to avoid all microplastics, no matter how hard you try. Related: Your Tea Bag Is Likely Releasing Billions of Microplastic Particles, According to a New Study 'Microplastics are currently hard to avoid entirely, as they are present in our food, water, and air," Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Health, shared with F&W. 'We currently do not know the toxic dose of microplastics for the human body, nor do we fully understand how the body absorbs, processes, and eliminates these particles.' Still, there are a few key steps you can take to at least minimize exposure. This includes swapping out plastic cutting boards, which can shed millions of microplastics, for wood, avoiding plastic takeout containers whenever possible (and never, ever placing them in the microwave), and choosing to store your leftovers in glass or metal containers instead of plastic products (which is where this lawsuit really comes into play). One more thing you can try is to eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables, which one study shows can help protect your cells against microplastic damage. Food & Wine has contacted S.C. Johnson and will update this story with any statements we receive. Read the original article on Food & Wine
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers link concerning factor to uptick in birth complications: 'Current regulations may be inadequate'
Roundup is one of the most popular weedkillers in the United States, but the widespread use of the herbicide has created some troubling side effects. As detailed by About Lawsuits, researchers Emmett Reynier and Edward Rubin from the University of Oregon conducted a study that determined that Roundup "may be responsible for a rise in birth complications among rural communities and historically disadvantaged groups." Studies over the years have linked glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, to an increased risk of adverse health effects despite previously being deemed safe for humans. As part of their research, Reynier and Rubin found that the use of Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides increased astronomically by 750% in the U.S. since 1996. After that year, the duo "spotted a spike in the rates of low-weight births and preterm births in the areas where glyphosate was likely used," per About Lawsuits. "Further, historically disadvantaged groups disproportionately bear these health effects," Reynier and Rubin wrote in the study. "These results conflict with current regulatory guidance, suggest current regulations may be inadequate, and highlight the need to improve pesticide use and exposure monitoring." In addition to the potential side effects of Roundup exposure during pregnancy, the product has been found to cause an increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Public records show that over 120,000 lawsuits have been filed against Bayer and its Monsanto subsidiary, each of which raised similar allegations that users of Roundup developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when spraying the weedkiller in an agricultural setting or around their homes. Bayer shelled out a whopping $10 billion-plus in Roundup settlements before announcing in 2021 that it planned to reformulate Roundup and remove the active ingredient glyphosate from consumer versions of the product. However, About Lawsuits pointed out that glyphosate "is still in the formulation for agricultural users," potentially exposing those who come in contact with the product to adverse health effects and increased risks of cancer. In an update on March 5, Bayer announced that it is "investing and innovating to develop additional weed-control solutions." However, the company also brazenly stuck by its use of glyphosate, claiming, "For more than 50 years, leading health regulators around the world have repeatedly concluded that our glyphosate products can be used safely, and that glyphosate is not carcinogenic." The simplest solution would be to stop buying glyphosate-based herbicides to address pesky weeds. However, people who live in rural areas still face possible exposure to the chemical due to its continued use for agricultural needs. If you're in an area where you face potential exposure to glyphosate, some preventative measures include installing windbreaks, closing windows, reducing time outdoors during spray season, and cleaning regularly to remove household dust. Every possible step can help potentially protect maternal, fetal, and overall health. Do you worry about pesticides in your food? All the time Sometimes Not really I only eat organic Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
