Lawsuit Investigation: Does Diet Pepsi Contain Toxic PFAS Chemicals?
Last Updated on May 4, 2023
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter.
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Case Update
- May 4, 2023 – Investigation Closed
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At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- California residents who've purchased Diet Pepsi in the last three years.
- What’s Going On?
- Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether Diet Pepsi contains toxic chemicals known as PFAS and, if so, whether a class action lawsuit could be filed over the issue.
- What Are PFAS?
- PFAS refers to a group of manufactured chemicals that are widely used in industrial, commercial and consumer goods due to their resistance to heat, oil, water and more. Unfortunately, the chemicals have also been associated with a host of environmental and health effects, including liver problems, increased cholesterol levels and certain types of cancer.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to speak to California residents who've purchased Diet Pepsi.
They’re investigating whether the soft drinks contain toxic chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and, if so, whether a class action lawsuit can be filed against PepsiCo over how the drinks are labeled.
Does Diet Pepsi Cause Cancer?
Though artificial sweeteners, such as those used in diet soda, have long been scrutinized for a potential cancer risk, health agencies have ultimately held that sugar substitutes “do not cause serious health problems,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
There has been some evidence, however, that drinking diet soda may increase cravings and cause an individual to consume more food later on, potentially leading to weight gain.
Indeed, the National Cancer Institute writes that some studies have suggested a link between artificial sweeteners and obesity, which, in turn, is associated with at least 13 types of cancer, but notes that the evidence is still mixed.
Attorneys are now investigating, however, whether Diet Pepsi soft drinks contain PFAS, chemicals that have been linked to certain types of cancer, in amounts above what the Environmental Protection Agency has determined to be safe levels for drinking water.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS refers to a group of human-made chemicals that have been used in a wide range of industrial and consumer goods since the 1940s. They are resistant to water, oil, grease, stains and heat and, as a result, have been used in products like carpeting, fire-fighting foam and non-stick cookware.
Recently, class action lawsuits have alleged that the chemicals have also been discovered in products like makeup, outdoor apparel and fast-food packaging without proper disclosure to consumers. In late 2020, certain popular beverage brands also made headlines after Consumer Reports released the results of a study that found “measurable amounts of PFAS” in certain sparkling water products, including the blackberry Bubly drink, which is made by PepsiCo.
Health Effects of PFAS
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, exposure to high levels of PFAS may result in:
- Decreased vaccine response in children
- Higher cholesterol levels
- Liver problems
- Increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer
- Increased risk of high blood pressure or preeclampsia in pregnant women
Other potential adverse health effects of PFAS may include decreased fertility, thyroid disease and hormone disruption.
How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?
If filed and successful, a class action lawsuit could give consumers a chance to get back some of the money they spent on Diet Pepsi. Attorneys suspect many consumers would not have bought the soda had they known it might contain PFAS chemicals. A lawsuit could also force PepsiCo to make changes to its manufacturing or labeling practices.
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