Class Action Lawsuit Claims ‘Organic’ Black Kow Cow Manure Contains PFAS

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges Black Gold Compost has misleadingly marketed its Black Kow Cow Manure as all-natural and organic when the product contains non-organic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS).

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The 34-page complaint contends that although Black Gold Compost, a leading brand in the gardening market, prominently advertises that its cow manure is entirely natural and the “perfect choice” for gardening, the product, in truth, contains manmade “forever chemicals” that bioaccumulate in the food chain and pose a significant threat to the environment and human health.

“When a product contains PFAS, it is by definition, not organic or all natural,” the filing summarizes.

The lawsuit explains that PFAS are synthetic chemicals that have been used in industrial and commercial products for decades. Per the suit, PFAS are not found in nature, and many consumers actively seek out organic and natural products to avoid exposure to the chemicals.

The complaint, referencing research from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Environment Agency (EEA), states that PFAS, even at low exposure levels, have been linked to fertility problems, pregnancy complications, increased cancer risks, hormonal disruptions, thyroid disease, and other conditions. The filing says that there exists no treatment to remove PFAS from the body, and experts agree that the best way to decrease risk is to avoid or limit exposure to PFAS-containing products.

“PFAS do not belong in the Products, and are not necessary to the utility of the Products,” the case argues. “Accordingly, because the Products contain PFAS, a category of synthetic man-made chemicals, the ‘organic’ and ‘all natural’ marketing is deceptive and misleading.”

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The PFAS class action lawsuit alleges that the defendants intentionally use words such as “organic” and “all natural,” among others,” to drive sales and boost profits, namely by targeting health-conscious consumers who “reasonably believe that the Product is free from synthetic or chemical ingredients” known to be harmful.

The accusations in the lawsuit are rooted in independent testing conducted in January 2026 using an EPA-recommended method to test for 40 different types of PFAS across nine compound classes in environmental samples. Per the suit, this testing revealed that Black Kow manure contains two distinct types of PFAS in amounts 100 times higher than EPA Regional Screening Levels.

Further, the suit cites the USDA’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for organic production and labeling, which permits the use of some synthetic materials when specifically identified, but never identifies any “allowed” PFAS.

Due to the presence of PFAS in the product, any claims from Black Gold Compost that its manure is natural or organic are false and an attempt to justify the premium price at which the manure is sold. The suit contends that consumers have no meaningful way to independently verify the accuracy of these claims and as such, they must rely on the representations of the manufacturer when making their purchasing decisions.

The Black Kow class action lawsuit seeks to represent anyone in the United States who purchased Black Kow Cow Manure for personal or household use during the fullest period allowed by law.

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