Food manufacturer The Campbell’s Company must face claims in a multidistrict litigation alleging the presence of toxic heavy metals in baby food products manufactured by its former subsidiary, according to an Oct. 29 order by the District Court for the Northern District of California.
The multidistrict litigation, filed against multiple baby food manufacturers, “comprises over 200 actions by Plaintiffs who allege the presence of toxic heavy metals in baby food caused children to develop autism spectrum disorder (‘ASD’) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (‘ADHD’),” according to the order.
Six companies—The Campbell’s Company (referred to as “Campbell” by the court), Danone North America, Sun-Maid Growers of California, and Nestlé USA along with two of its foreign parent companies—had filed motions to dismiss the claims….