A class action lawsuit accuses Quaker Oats of allegedly failing to disclose the presence of the plant growth regulator chemical known as chlormequat in many of its products. The lawsuit alleges the company has violated a host of state consumer protection laws, among other counts.
The suit alleges that the company failed to disclose the presence of a chemical known as chlormequat chloride in its oat-based products.
The lawsuit claims that Quaker Oats has been misleading in its packaging and marketing, omitting the fact that their products contain or are at risk of containing chlormequat. According to the complaint, this chemical is harmful and poses a risk of adverse health impacts to consumers.
According to the complaint, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published a study showing the presence of chlormequat in certain oat-based foods, including Quaker Oats' products. The study allegedly found levels of chlormequat higher than EWG's suggested health benchmark in all tested Quaker Oats products.
Chlormequat is used agriculturally to help strengthen plants. In the case of oats, it prevents the plant from bending over and touching the ground.
The lawsuit argues that oat production should not require the use of chlormequat, pointing out that organic products tested did not contain detectable levels of this chemical.
Plaintiffs seek to expand the action to include thousands of others in the states of New York, California, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and New Jersey who purchased Quaker Oats products containing oats.
Plaintiffs are seeking unspecified money damages, as well as attorney fees.
They are represented by attorneys Janine L. Pollack, Lori G. Feldman, David J. George and Brittany Sackrin, of the firm of George Feldman McDonald PLLC, of New York and Lake Worth, Florida; and Rebecca A. Peterson, of Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP, of Minneapolis.