Baby bottles and sippy cups release microplastics, class action lawsuits

Overview of Dr. Brown’s class action lawsuit on microplastics:

• WHO: Two women who purchased baby bottles from Dr. Brown are suing Handi-Craft Company Inc.
• Why: The plaintiffs claim that the Handi-Craft Company failed to disclose on the packaging of Dr. Brown’s bottles that they allegedly release microplastics.
• Where: The class action lawsuit against Dr. Brown over microplastics was filed in federal court in California.

Two women who bought baby bottles from Dr. Browns are suing the company, claiming it failed to disclose that the bottles allegedly contain microplastics that could harm babies.

Plaintiffs Alejandrina Cortez and Tuliisa Miller filed a class action lawsuit against Handi-Craft Company Inc., the owner of the Dr. Brown’s brand, in federal court in California on June 25, alleging violations of state and federal laws.

The two plaintiffs allege that the Handi-Craft Company conducted a “campaign of reckless deception” by marketing its Dr. Brown’s brand baby bottles and sippy cups as suitable for babies and toddlers, even though they claim these products leach harmful microplastic particles directly into the food and drinks of babies and toddlers.

“This disregard for the most vulnerable members of society has endangered the health and well-being of millions of children and defrauded consumers of millions of dollars,” the lawsuit states. “In effect, the defendant made every parent’s worst nightmare come true: unwittingly exposing their children to a product they reasonably believed was safe.”

Microplastics can cause long-term health damage, according to lawsuit

The women accuse the Handi-Craft Company of misleadingly marketing many of its baby and toddler bottles and cups by failing to inform women that microplastics are released when the products are heated as intended.

These microplastic particles cause long-term health damage to children, the lawsuit states. This includes damage to the children’s digestive tract, immune system and reproductive system.

Miller says she purchased the 2022 Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow® Anti-Colic Options+™ Narrow Baby Bottle at a Target in Contra Costa County for about $20. She says when she bought it, she had no idea it could release microplastics during “normal” use.

Miller and Cortez said they would not have purchased anything from the product line if they had known it could release microplastics that babies could then ingest.

“When making purchasing decisions for baby products, consumers’ primary concern is not to expose children to danger. They reasonably expect that a product’s manufacturer will warn about safety concerns,” the lawsuit states.

The plaintiffs therefore seek to represent all residents of the United States who purchased baby bottles that did not disclose the alleged risks. They are seeking class action certification, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.

Poland Springs bottled water parent company BlueTriton Brands is facing a class action lawsuit and claims that its “100% natural spring water” actually contains microplastics and a chemical used in plastics.

What do you think about the allegations in this lawsuit about microplastics in baby bottles?

The plaintiff is represented by Ryan J. Clarkson, Bahar Sodaify, Alan Gudino and Kelsey J. Elling of Clarkson Law Firm PC.

The Lawsuit over microplastics in baby bottles Is Alejandrina Cortez et al., v. Handi-Craft Company Inc.Case No. 3:24-cv-03782 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Read more about class action lawsuits and class action settlements: