Iris USA Lawsuit Claims Dangerously Defective Pet Food Containers Pose Suffocation Risk

A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that Iris Airtight Pet Food Containers are unreasonably dangerous, given that the “defective design” of the products can cause a pet to become trapped inside the container and suffocate.

The 30-page lawsuit relays that each size and color combination of defendant Iris USA’s Airtight Pet Food Containers employs the same locking mechanism on the lid. Although Iris advertises that the containers’ “secure locking latch” is designed to “keep pets from sneaking a second or even third breakfast,” the class action suit alleges that the lid design is defective, as a pet can open the container, climb inside and become trapped.

According to the complaint, a pet that becomes trapped inside an Iris container can suffocate within minutes.

“The Defect has caused the death of pets, including Plaintiff’s kitten,” the pet food container lawsuit states. “Other pet deaths have been reported on the internet. As such, Iris Containers are not fit for their intended purpose, unreasonably dangerous to pets, and worthless.”

The filing says that Iris USA has made no disclosure of the alleged danger its airtight food storage containers pose to pets and has failed to ensure that its products are safe for their advertised use. The suit also contends that consumers nationwide have overpaid for Iris USA pet food containers, by way of buying the products themselves and, for some, paying out-of-pocket expenses related to the death of their pets.

Iris Airtight Pet Food Container lock is poorly designed, lawsuit claims

Per the filing, the Iris Airtight Pet Food Containers at issue are all sold with the same latch and locking mechanism, which Iris ensures is designed to keep pets out of the container. However, the complaint alleges that pets, especially cats, are able to open the latch and climb inside the container to eat the food stored within.

The lids are designed to fall closed immediately after whatever is holding them open, such as a pet owner’s hand or the body of a pet climbing into the container, is removed, the suit explains. Because the lid generally falls shut with significant force, the complaint relays, its downward-facing latch will regularly swing closed, catch and automatically lock as soon as the lid is fully shut, trapping inside any pet that climbs into the container.

“Because the Iris Containers are designed to be airtight, the pet will suffocate within a few minutes,” the suit stresses.

Although the container lids are equipped with a small strip of foam that may be intended to prevent the lids from fully latching closed on their own, the lawsuit contends that this measure is largely ineffective, as the foam barrier doesn’t always work and can wear out after only a few uses. When this occurs, the container lid can slam completely closed, and the latch will lock automatically, the case says.

Complaint claims Iris USA ignored reports of pet deaths, injuries linked to food containers

Per the complaint, the lead plaintiff's pet cat died from suffocation after climbing into an Iris Airtight Pet Food Container. The filing alleges that the plaintiff’s situation is far from an isolated incident, citing reports from internet forums and Iris’s own website regarding pet deaths and injuries caused by a pet becoming trapped in one of the Iris USA pet food containers.

The Center for Pet Safety has also publicly advised against the purchase of the Iris containers due to this alleged defect and has called the products dangerous due to the increased risk of pet suffocation, the lawsuit relays.

Iris, the suit contends, is fully aware of the risks posed by its products and the harm these products have reportedly caused, yet has not only failed to publicly disclose the defect but has continued to represent its containers as “safer” for pets.

“Iris could easily disclose the Defect on its product pages, on the container itself, the packaging, etc., but chooses not to,” the case scathes, accusing the manufacturer of actively concealing the flaw.

According to the suit, the plaintiff’s three-pound kitten, Ace, died by suffocation in July 2025 after it was able to open the locked lid to an Iris pet food storage container and became locked inside once the lid dropped down and automatically locked.

Who’s covered by the pet food container class action lawsuit?

The Iris class action lawsuit seeks to represent all individuals in the United States who have purchased an Iris Airtight Pet Food Container.

How do I join the Iris USA pet food container class action lawsuit?

Generally, you don’t need to do anything to join or sign up for a class action lawsuit when it is first filed. Should the case be resolved with a class action settlement, the settlement class—meaning the people covered by the deal—will be notified by the court via mail and/or email and will receive instructions on any next steps and their legal rights.

Keep in mind that some class action lawsuits can take years to settle.

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