This is a pending class action lawsuit against some of the nation's largest child-product companies including Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Gerber Products Company, The Proctor and Gamble Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Expanscience Laboratories Inc. doing business as Mustela, and Limited Brands Inc.
The nationwide class-action lawsuit alleges that these companies' products including baby shampoo and lotions contain probable cancer-causing chemicals including formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. The findings were part of a study conducted by nonprofit, The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which tested commonly used baby products and found alarmingly high amounts of carcinogens, with 61 percent of the tested products containing both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane and 82 percent containing formaldehyde at levels of at least 54 parts per million.
The class action lawsuit alleges that none of the manufacturers list the probable cancer-causing chemical as ingredients on product labels. The study states that the probable carcinogenic ingredients are not added in manufacturing, but likely occur as the ingredients break down over time.
The class action lawsuit claims the defendants breached implied warranties of merchantability and fitness; acted in violation of product liability laws; were negligent in design, manufacture and marketing of the products, and violated various unfair and deceptive trade practice acts.
Defendant Details
Name (Stock Symbol)
Brief Description
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Johnson & Johnson engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of various products in the health care field worldwide.
Gerber Products Company
Gerber Products Company manufactures baby food. It is owned by Nestle.
Proctor & Gamble Company (PGPDQ.PK)
The Procter & Gamble Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides branded consumer goods products worldwide.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB)
Kimberly-Clark Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and marketing consumer products.
Expanscience Laboratories Inc
Expanscience Laboratories Inc. manufactures skin care and other consumer products. It does business as Mustela.
Limited Brands, Inc. (LTD)
Limited Brands, Inc. is a retailer of womens apparel, beauty and personal care products.