Walmart Lawsuit Claims Great Value Organic Chia Seeds Contain ‘Exceedingly High’ Levels of Mold

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that Walmart has failed to warn consumers that its Great Value Organic Chia Seeds contain excessive levels of mold and yeast, despite marketing the product as a nutritious, organic food.

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The 26-page complaint states that the Walmart Great Value chia seeds were found to have levels of mold that “indicate spoilage,” even though the products were tested “well before their expiration dates.” Per the suit, consuming excessive amounts of mold and yeast could lead to serious adverse health consequences, and the Great Value chia seeds at issue were found to have eight times the allowable level of mold, the case states.

The product packaging for the Great Value chia seeds identifies no contaminants, and neither mold nor yeast nor any warning about their potential inclusion are listed anywhere on product labels, the filing says, alleging the products are “in no way safe for human use and entirely worthless.”

According to the lawsuit, chia seeds are widely regarded as a nutrient-dense superfood valued for their high levels of fiber, healthy fats, proteins and essential minerals. The case argues that consumers reasonably expect a product advertised for its health benefits to be safe and void of any dangerous constituents.

However, the complaint alleges that independent testing found that Great Value Organic Chia Seeds contain excessive amounts of harmful contaminants.

The case specifies that mold was not visibly apparent on the chia seeds, but “grew from samples.”

Related Reading: Nativas Organics Failed to Disclose Chia Seed Salmonella Contamination Risk, Class Action Lawsuit Alleges

The case claims that Walmart knew or should have known about the alleged contamination given its role in manufacturing processes, sourcing and quality control. According to the complaint, consumers have no way to reasonably determine whether packaged food contains unsafe ingredients before purchasing it and must rely on the company’s representations.

The lawsuit further contends that the alleged contamination is particularly inconsistent with consumers' expectations of the Great Value brand, which the suit says has an “industry-wide reputation for quality,” and the product’s organic designation.

The Walmart class action lawsuit looks to represent all individuals in the United States who purchased Great Value Organic Chia Seeds during the fullest period allowed by law.

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