Costco Faces Class Action Over Orgain Powder With Lead Levels 600% Above California Limit
Updated
Updated · Fox Business · Jul 9
Costco Faces Class Action Over Orgain Powder With Lead Levels 600% Above California Limit
3 articles · Updated · Fox Business · Jul 9
Summary
Seven U.S. plaintiffs sued Costco in federal court in Washington state, alleging Orgain Vanilla Bean and Creamy Chocolate Fudge protein powders sold by the retailer contain dangerous lead, arsenic and cadmium.
Independent testing cited in the complaint found lead in Orgain's Vanilla Bean powder exceeded California Proposition 65 limits by more than 600%, and the suit says Costco failed to screen for or disclose the contaminants.
Orgain rejected the claims, saying its products are safe, that trace substances can occur in plant-based ingredients, and that its powders comply with applicable food-safety standards and guidance.
The lawsuit builds on wider scrutiny of protein powders: Consumer Reports said Orgain Vanilla Bean hit 143% of its lead concern level, while Texas launched an industry-wide probe and California lawmakers proposed mandatory heavy-metal testing and disclosure.