Proctor & Gamble Seeks Dismissal of Pampers Dry Max Diaper Lawsuits

Proctor & Gamble is pushing to have lawsuits over its Pampers Dry Max diapers dismissed on the grounds that there is no basis for the claims made by parents that the new product increases the risk of severe diaper rash. 

On October 20, Proctor & Gamble filed a motion to dismiss all of the dry max diaper lawsuits, which have been consolidated in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati. Since the first Pampers class action lawsuit was filed in May, several dozen plaintiffs have filed similar claims, alleging that their children experienced problems as a result of Pampers’ diapers with the new Dry Max technology.

However, the company says that all of the claims are based on speculation and that there is no evidence linking the diapers to severe cases of diaper rash.

The complaints include a number of class action lawsuits that seek to represent anyone who used the diapers, who suffered severe diaper rash or even people who stopped using them due to health concerns. The lawsuits allege that in many cases, the infants’ diaper rashes disappeared as soon as the parents switched brands.

In March, Proctor & Gamble released new Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers diapers using “Dry Max” technology. The diapers are thinner than previous Pampers. As of September, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) had received about 4,700 reports of Pampers Dry Max diaper rashes, with the vast majority of the reports filed in May, when concern about the diapers reached its peak on the internet.

Parents on social media sites and news websites (including this one) flooded comment sections with reports of children developing rashes described as painful, often puss-filled burns or blisters which they say occurred soon after switching to the new Dry Max diapers.

Last month, following investigations by both U.S. and Canadian government officials reported that they have been unable to find any specific links between the Dry Max diapers and the severe rashes reported by parents. However, the CPSC says that parents who are concerned should stop using that brand of diaper and says it still wants to receive reports of severe diaper rashes.