Latest news with #S.C.Johnson
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Ingredient linked to DEMENTIA found in popular food product used by over 200m Americans
Ziploc, the popular brand of food bags and containers used by over 200 million Americans, is now at the center of a troubling health controversy. A class-action lawsuit filed in California accuses the maker of Ziploc, of misleading consumers about the safety of its microwave-safe bags and containers. The complaint alleges that the plastic in Ziploc products may release harmful microplastics , potentially exposing millions to toxins over time. Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments —less than 5 millimeters in size—linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive problems. These particles can enter our food, water, and even the air as plastic products break down. The 51-page lawsuit claims that Ziploc bags and containers, marketed as 'Microwave Safe' and suitable for freezer use, fail to warn consumers that the products may release microplastics when used as intended. The complaint specifically mentions Ziploc Freezer Bags, Slider Freezer Bags, Slider Storage Bags, and Ziploc Containers. 'The 'Microwave Safe' and 'Freezer' labels create a false sense of security,' the lawsuit states. 'The company omits crucial information that these products release microplastics when microwaved or frozen as directed.' has contacted S.C. Johnson for comment. The lawsuit argues that this omission isn't just misleading, but it means the products fail at their basic purpose. 'The products fail to provide a reliable method for food storage and preparation without exposing users to material risk,' the complaint states. Filed by California resident Linda Cheslow, the suit claims that the containers labeled 'Microwave Safe' and 'Freezer' are made from polyethylene and polypropylene. Polyethylene and polypropylene are common types of plastic that can break down into microplastics, and both are used in food packaging. 'Scientific and medical evidence shows these materials release microplastics when microwaved or frozen—making them fundamentally unsafe for those uses,' the lawsuit claims. 'Because of the defendant's false claims, people have unknowingly exposed themselves and their families to harmful microplastics during everyday kitchen activities.' The lawsuit accuses S.C. Johnson of violating consumer trust by marketing food-safe containers while hiding known health risks. 'The company exploits consumer expectations by failing to disclose that its products release microplastics into food when microwaved or frozen,' the complaint adds. It also claims that Ziploc bags labeled 'Microwave Safe' can release up to 4.22 million microplastic and 2.11 billion nanoplastic particles per square centimeter of plastic within just three minutes of microwave heating. The 'Freezer' label, the suit says, misleads consumers into thinking the products are safe for low-temperature food storage without risk. The complaint further cites studies showing a 50 percent increase in microplastics found in brain samples from 2016 to 2024, suggesting these particles accumulate in the body over time. Polypropylene microplastics were also found in bone marrow, indicating they can penetrate deep into human tissues. Scientists found that human brain samples contained between seven and 30 times more microplastics than livers or kidneys, with higher levels reported in individuals with dementia. Both liver and brain samples from 2024 showed significantly more microplastics than those from 2016. S.C. Johnson responded with a statement denying the allegations: 'We believe Ziploc products are safe when used as directed and that these claims are without merit.' Rubbermaid, another major brand named in related concerns, is also facing criticism as toxicologists highlight issues with heat-related plastic breakdown and chemical leakage. In the lawsuit against S.C. Johnson, the plaintiff argues that the class should include all consumers nationwide who purchased the products within the statute of limitations. The complaint requests that the last four years be used to define this period for California consumers. Plastic food containers have long been popular in American homes because they are affordable, convenient, and durable. However, public opinion is shifting as more research links plastic exposure to serious health risks. Class members who join the lawsuit are eligible to receive an equal share of any settlement. There is growing pressure on the Food and Drug Administration to update its standards for microwave-safe labeling. Critics say current regulations are outdated and don't adequately address long-term chemical exposure or how these products are actually used.
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
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
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. USA TODAY has reached out to S.C. Johnson for comment. 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. 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. 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 Apple class action lawsuit: Did Siri eavesdrop on your call? Find out if eligible for part of $95M settlement 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. Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for USA TODAY. She can be reached at MKhan@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ziploc hit with lawsuit for alleged undisclosed microplastics
CNET
12-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Ziploc Faces a Class Action Lawsuit for Undisclosed Microplastic Risk. What You Need to Know
I've got a box of Ziploc bags in my cabinet, and I'm looking at them completely differently now that S.C. Johnson, the maker of Ziploc, is facing a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit says that the marketing that Ziploc storage bags are "suitable for freezer use" and "microwave safe" is misleading because the bags are made from polyethylene and polypropylene. These types of plastics are known to release microplastics into foods when exposed to extreme temperatures, something that is not mentioned on Ziploc's packaging. "Repeated exposure to extreme temperatures -- cold or hot -- stresses plastic materials and can lead to the breakdown of their surface layers, releasing tiny plastic particles into food," said Brad Younggren of Circulate Health. When you microwave food in plastic, the heat accelerates how much microplastics leach into the food. "Similarly, freezing and thawing cycles can cause structural degradation that also encourages microplastic release, not unlike how freezing temperatures crack pavement in winter," Younggren said. According to the lawsuit, Ziploc bags are "fundamentally unfit" to be used in the way they're advertised. The average person intakes between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles each year, and that number increases to 120,000 when airborne particles are accounted for. There's no established "safe" or "unsafe" level of microplastic consumption, which is why it's important to know where microplastics come from and how to reduce ingestion. What's the deal with microplastics? Microplastics have long been a topic of conversation, mainly because they're important environmental pollutants. But these tiny plastic fragments don't just negatively impact the earth; they have potentially health impacts too. Some days, it feels like we're regularly discovering a surprisingly high amount of microplastics lurking in our bodies. Scientists recently found a spoon's worth of microplastics in the cadaver brains. While the US Food & Drug administration says scientific evidence doesn't suggest that the amount of microplastics in foods is a risk to our health, not all doctors are convinced. Microplastics located in the blood vessels have been linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Research has also found tissue inflammation, cell death and lung and liver impacts because of microplastics. That said, there's still plenty we don't know about the effects of microplastics. What we do know is that microplastics are everywhere. They're in the burned-down plastic spoon you should have thrown away years ago or the plastic-wrapped foods at the grocery store. However, it's not just how we package our foods. Microplastics can enter our food through soil and water contamination where they're grown. Since microplastics touch so many areas of our lives (did I mention they're also in the synthetic fibers of our clothing?), it can feel challenging to outrun them completely. While there's no established safe or unsafe level of microplastic consumption, most of us want to minimize our contact with them as much as possible. How can I limit my microplastic use? The best way to limit your family's consumption of microplastics is to minimize your use of plastic in the kitchen. Remember, microplastics aren't just in plastic bags. Top places microplastics lurk in your kitchen: Nonstick cookware Plastic cooking utensils Tea bags Plastic straws Canned food lining Plastic cutting boards So you should probably stop using Ziploc bags to freeze and microwave your food. But where does that leave you? Younggren suggested opting for non-plastic alternatives when you can. "We recommend microwave-safe glass containers as safer options," Younggren said. Glass containers are more stable under temperature stress, so the risk of microplastic contamination is lower. There are things you can do beyond changing how you store your food. You can opt for wood cutting boards instead of plastic, or use loose tea leaves or cook in cast iron. You'd probably be surprised by how much plastic is in your kitchen. A good rule of thumb when cooking is to note how often your food comes into contact with plastic. It's difficult to cut it entirely out of your life, though any strides you can make will reduce your microplastic intake.
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Ziploc facing class action lawsuit over alleged undisclosed microplastics
Ziploc facing class action lawsuit over alleged undisclosed microplastics Show Caption Hide Caption Apple agrees to pay $95 million over Siri eavesdropping lawsuit Apple reached a settlement a $95 million over a lawsuit accusing the company of eavesdropping and recording users' conversations with Siri. Straight Arrow News 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. USA TODAY has reached out to S.C. Johnson for comment. 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 Apple class action lawsuit: Did Siri eavesdrop on your call? Find out if eligible for part of $95M settlement 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. Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for USA TODAY. She can be reached at MKhan@
