Baby Food Makers Hit With RICO Allegations Over Heavy Metals (1)

Campbell Soup Co., Hain Celestial Group, Nestle subsidiary Gerber Products Co., Beach-Nut Nutrition Co., and Happy Family Organics are facing a proposed consumer class action alleging the companies engaged in racketeering by concealing the presence of heavy metals in their baby food products.

Named plaintiffs Kathryn Gavula and Barbara Wicker allege the companies engaged in “food fraud” by cutting corners to profit financially, according to the complaint filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.

The companies made their membership in the Baby Food Council “a central part of their scheme to defraud,” the ...