Campbell’s Lawsuit Alleges Microwavable Soup Containers Leach Microplastics When Heated

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges Campbell’s microwavable soups cannot be safely heated in a microwave as advertised, given that the products’ polypropylene containers and lids can release dangerous microplastics into the soup when exposed to heat.

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The 66-page lawsuit contends that Campbell’s has misled millions of consumers by failing to disclose the potential risks associated with microwaving its portable soup products, with the company effectively prioritizing profits over customers’ health and safety.

According to the complaint, the polypropylene plastic used in the Campbell’s soup packaging can release millions of microplastic particles when exposed to high temperatures, even over short periods of time, and particularly during microwave heating.

“By claiming the Products are microwavable, Defendant created a false impression that they pose no risk when used for this purpose,” the filing states. “This deception is especially significant given that microwaving the Products—exactly as Defendant instructs and promises is safe—results in the release of harmful microplastics directly into soup.”

Related Reading: Ziploc Lawsuit Claims ‘Microwave Safe’ Storage Freezer Bags, Containers Leach Microplastics into Food

The class action lawsuit explains that microplastics refer to plastic particles smaller than five millimeters in diameter that can form when plastics degrade, including when exposed to heat. The suit states that numerous studies have linked microplastic exposure to a range of adverse health effects, including hormonal disruption, reproductive issues, lung and liver damage, cardiovascular complications and cancer.

The complaint says that microplastics can bioaccumulate in the body, meaning repeated exposure can compound over time and potentially increase the risk of long-term health consequences.  

Similarly, the suit cites research that suggests food packaging made from plastics like polypropylene can contribute to microplastic ingestion—particularly when heated—due to the material’s tendency to break down and leach particles into food.

“Despite the clear dangers, Defendant not only actively conceals the known risks associated with microplastic exposure, but affirmatively promises the Products are ‘microwavable’ even though such use results in material health danger associated with the Products,” the filing states.

Furthermore, the case claims that Campbell’s, as a leading manufacturer, had access to information about the risks associated with polypropylene packaging that the average consumer would not, but failed to disclose them and continued to market its products as microwavable.

The complaint stresses that growing public awareness around microplastics has made their presence in food a “critical safety concern” for many consumers. As a result, many actively seek to limit their exposure as much as possible, particularly in food products, and rely on the representations on packaging and labels to ensure this standard is upheld, the case says.

The Campbell’s class action lawsuit looks to represent all United States residents who purchased Campbell’s Microwavable Soup for personal, family or household purposes within the applicable statute of limitations period.

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