Momcozy Lawsuit Claims KleanPal Pro Bottle Sterilizer Can Crack, Shed Plastic During Use

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A proposed class action lawsuit claims that Momcozy deceptively markets its KleanPal Pro Bottle Washer and Sterilizer as a safe and effective baby bottle cleaning device despite knowing that its internal plastic components can degrade, crack and prematurely fail during normal use.

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The 68-page complaint contends that the plastic degradation issue stems from a uniform design defect present in all KleanPal Pro devices—namely, that the plastic parts within the appliance cannot withstand the high temperatures generated during sterilization cycles.

According to the lawsuit, the KleanPal Pro is marketed as a countertop appliance capable of cleaning bottles, breast pump parts, pacifiers, sippy cups and other baby accessories, with Momcozy recommending that consumers use the steam sterilization mode during every wash and multiple times a day to ensure effective germ elimination.

The case explains, however, that the sterilization cycle operates at temperatures reaching 212 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 10 minutes at a time, causing the “inferior” plastic tray, support components and other internal parts to degrade when repeatedly exposed to the device’s high temperatures. According to the suit, Momcozy has received numerous reports of the plastic parts cracking, crumbling and breaking off, releasing plastic debris into the appliance and its contents.

“In its design, manufacture, and production of the KleanPal Pro, Momcozy failed to conduct the testing required to ensure its KleanPal Pro was safe and suitable for its intended purpose and/or conducted inadequate testing,” the filing states.

Moreover, the lawsuit alleges that the plastic degradation defect poses health and safety risks for babies.

“Specifically, the degraded and broken Internal Components and resulting debris come into direct contact with baby bottles and accessories for extended periods of time creating unreasonable health and safety risks including plastic ingestion,” the filing reads.

The complaint argues that consumers reasonably expect baby products marketed as safe and suitable for their intended purpose to withstand ordinary use conditions. Moreover, consumers are willing to pay more for baby products marketed as high-quality and safe for children and infants, the lawsuit argues.

Per the case, Momcozy leveraged safety-focused marketing to gain a “competitive advantage” in the baby products market and justify the KleanPal Pro’s premium price of nearly $300 while concealing the product’s design defect.

Despite its supposed awareness of the defect, Momcozy continues to sell the device with no warning to consumers, the lawsuit claims, and during the warranty period, merely provides replacement plastic components that are “equally defective” to consumers who complain.

The plaintiffs, two New York residents, claim they experienced the alleged plastic degradation defect in their KleanPal Pro products after only a short period of use. According to the complaint, one plaintiff contacted Momcozy and was told that the plastic tray may have broken down “due to wear or exposure to high heat, which can cause small plastic pieces to appear in the water.”

The Momcozy KleanPal Pro class action lawsuit looks to represent all individuals who purchased the device from Momcozy or an authorized retailer in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and/or Washington for personal use during the fullest period allowed by law.

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