A California lady decided to take on consumer goods giant S.C. Johnson & Son by filing a class action lawsuit against them, claiming that Ziploc storage bags contain sneaky microplastics that can harm customers. The lawsuit was brought forth by Linda Cheslow from Santa Rosa, California, and was filed in the U.S. District Court for Northern California on April 25. Cheslow alleges that Ziploc’s claim of their products being safe for the freezer and microwave is a big fat lie, leading customers to unknowingly expose themselves to dangerous microplastics during their everyday kitchen activities.
What’s the deal with microplastics, you ask? Well, these little devils are tiny plastic particles measuring less than five millimeters that come from the breakdown of larger plastic items. They sneak their way into our drinking water, air, and food, causing all sorts of havoc once ingested. From messing with our digestive and immune systems to throwing off reproductive and developmental processes, these microplastics are no joke. According to the National Library of Medicine, they can even lead to the production of carcinogens in humans. And don’t even get me started on how they can wreak havoc on animals’ organs like the liver, spleen, and kidneys.
The Ziploc class action lawsuit isn’t holding back in its claims. It’s accusing S.C. Johnson of pulling a fast one on customers in two ways: first, by misleadingly marketing their products and second, by failing to warn about the potential release of microplastics. The lawsuit argues that S.C. Johnson’s deceptive labeling, advertising, and marketing practices have tricked consumers into thinking that their products are safe for the microwave and freezer when, in reality, they are not. This deception has led customers to pay extra for a false sense of quality and benefits that are nowhere to be found. Cheslow is seeking some serious remedies, including putting a stop to S.C. Johnson’s false advertising, compensation for affected customers, damages, and punitive penalties. It’s safe to say that things are about to get real messy for Ziploc.
