False-Ad Claims Advance in Suit Over Plum Baby Food Heavy Metals

Consumers suing Plum Inc. over its alleged failure to disclose heavy metals in some baby food products saw their claims advance as a federal court in California on Wednesday rejected preemption and other arguments.

Dozens of proposed class actions against Plum and other manufacturers followed a February 2021 House Oversight subcommittee report that found seven brands of commercial baby food have “significant levels” of heavy metals, including arsenic and lead.

In response, the Food and Drug Administration in April 2021 set out its plan to address naturally occurring heavy metals in agricultural products, including baby and toddler foods.

The plaintiffs ...