Coca-Cola Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over High PFAS Levels in Simply Orange Juice Products
The class action lawsuit claims Simply Orange contains levels of PFAS many times higher than those recommended by the EPA.
According to allegations raised in a recently filed class action lawsuit, the Coca-Cola Company falsely advertises its “Simply Tropical” juice products as all natural, when in fact that juice products contain high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which carry a number of known health side effects.
The complaint (PDF) was filed by Joseph Lurenz in the United States District Court Southern District of New York late last month, claiming The Coca-Cola Company and The Simply Orange Juice Company fail to disclose that its Simply Tropical orange juice contains dangerous levels of harmful PFAS chemicals.
Growing Lawsuits Over PFAS Exposure
PFAS include a group of more than 9,000 man-made chemicals which have been widely used for decades, to resist grease, oil and water. They are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals”, since they persist in the environment and human body, building up over time and increasing the risk of various cancers, liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, high cholesterol, obesity, hormone suppression, and other injuries.
While the toxic chemicals are used in a variety of products, ranging from non-stick pans to food packaging, PFAS water contamination has been identified in communities nationwide, due to large volumes released into the environment during firefighting training and response exercises involving aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs).
Due to a failure to disclose the health risks of PFAS exposure, hundreds of firefighter cancer lawsuits are currently being pursued against various companies involved in the manufacturing and sale of the chemicals. In addition, PFAS water contamination lawsuits are being pursued by individuals diagnosed with cancer or ulcerative colitis after drinking tap water from certain areas, particularly near military bases or other firefighting training locations.
Learn More About
Exposure to firefighting foam chemicals may result in an increased risk of cancer for firefighters, military and airport personnel.
Learn More About this Lawsuit SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR COMPENSATIONOver the past year, a growing number of consumer class action lawsuits have also been filed over high levels of PFAS in a wide variety of products, including cosmetics, McDonald’s wrappers and other food containers.
Simply Tropical Orange Juice Class Action Lawsuit
The Coca-Cola class action lawsuit filed this month alleges the manufacturer intentionally misrepresent and falsely advertise their Simply Tropical juice products as safe, using the claims “All Natural” and “healthy”, despite containing the toxic synthetic chemicals, which by definition are not natural, nor healthy.
Lurenz states the Coca-Cola Company, being the large global name that it is, knows the importance of ensuring the product labels are factual for consumers to make informed decisions when choosing healthy products. Yet defendants have intentionally misled customers about the synthetic chemicals found in Simply Tropic juice.
While the specific levels of PFAS found in Simply Tropic juice were not detailed in the complaint, Lurenz states that he had an accredited and independent third-party laboratory test Simply Tropical juice products, which confirmed the presence of PFAS.
Specifically, the testing identified “material levels” of perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, in amounts more than 100 times the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended levels in drinking water.
PFOS and PFOA are two of the most well-studied and well documented types of PFAS chemicals. Their exposure has been linked to adverse effects on the immune system, the cardiovascular system, human development, and appear to increase the risk of cancer.
“Thus, Defendant’s Product exposes hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting consumers, many of whom are children, to toxic synthetic chemicals at levels far beyond what the EPA deems safe, in direct contradiction to their uniform representations”, Lurenz said in the complaint.
The lawsuits presents claims of fraud, constructive fraud and unjust enrichment, among others, seeking to represent all similarly situated class members.
Get more articles like this sent directly to your inbox.
"*" indicates required fields
20 Comments
KIMFebruary 16, 2024 at 8:23 am
This is a product that I purchased on a regular basis and have for years. How do we get added to the lawsuit
AllenJanuary 29, 2024 at 6:56 am
I've been drinking Simply Orange since the day it came out what's going to happen to me. Something's going to have to be done when these companies put new products on the market more studies.
OrlynDecember 27, 2023 at 4:47 am
My body has been through a roller coaster of ailments and injuries largely due to mental illness and consuming products with known poisonous agents that have just come to light. I would like those responsible and all of those who knew that they were doing wrong to all of us that consumed their products to meet Justice and feel the wrath of God for what have done to my body and mind. My life has be[Show More]My body has been through a roller coaster of ailments and injuries largely due to mental illness and consuming products with known poisonous agents that have just come to light. I would like those responsible and all of those who knew that they were doing wrong to all of us that consumed their products to meet Justice and feel the wrath of God for what have done to my body and mind. My life has been very difficult if not ruined. We press on.
RoxannSeptember 1, 2023 at 10:03 am
I also drank this for many years and am being treated for Stage IV bladder cancer. I will be following this closely and have already told my children, grandchildren and neighbors about this lawsuit. Like putting spilt milk back in the bottle but....
WilburAugust 26, 2023 at 6:12 pm
I've been drinking Simply Orange Juice since it first came out in 2001. 22 years later, I've acquired Ulcerative Colitis. Could this have been a cause of drinking said product(s)?
TerryJuly 24, 2023 at 7:51 pm
I've been drinking this orange juice since I was a kid. And to think I was drinking this juice like everyday 2 to 3 glasses to substitute drinking water and hoping to get more Vitamin C in my system. I came down with prostate cancer and had to go through 5 and a 1/2 weeks of radiation treatments. I will have to see a on oncologists the rest of my life.
RicJune 4, 2023 at 1:27 pm
The media has squelched information about this lawsuit.They know that their in Cokes back pocket.Its alot like Hunters laptop. Its what they dont report is just as serious as lying about whatever subject!
JoshMay 29, 2023 at 7:50 pm
This was the only Orange juice I drank Sense it came out. Can anyone else get in this lawsuit?
SandraMay 28, 2023 at 11:12 am
Ive been drinking a glass of Simply Orange every morning for years, now whats going to happen to me.
NikkiMay 25, 2023 at 9:31 pm
What I'm really curious about is I just came across this article may 25 2023, says it was posted jan 2023, so im guessing the same juice in the store right now is being distributed uninterrupted or if there ever was a time it was pulled from the shelf I missed the notice And if it is the same why wouldn't it be pulled (profit loss?). And if it's the same orange juice say I bought today from my l[Show More]What I'm really curious about is I just came across this article may 25 2023, says it was posted jan 2023, so im guessing the same juice in the store right now is being distributed uninterrupted or if there ever was a time it was pulled from the shelf I missed the notice And if it is the same why wouldn't it be pulled (profit loss?). And if it's the same orange juice say I bought today from my local grocery store. I came home and came across this article Can I now sue the grocery store for continuing to sell this product, and coca-cola for continuing to make it. Wow completely insane
OrlandoMay 25, 2023 at 9:09 pm
I drink this juice a whole lot , 2021 I was diagnosed with cancer. I wonder if it’s related to the chemicals in that orange juice.
DorisMay 16, 2023 at 2:21 pm
I was drinking this orange juice for about two years straight. After I moved recently, I never bought it again. What will this lawsuit do for the rest of the people that bought it but have no proof? Is it just one person suing and the rest of us deal with the consequences? What are the consequences? Because I have health issues. But who doesn't anymore? Shouldn't we be going after the actu[Show More]I was drinking this orange juice for about two years straight. After I moved recently, I never bought it again. What will this lawsuit do for the rest of the people that bought it but have no proof? Is it just one person suing and the rest of us deal with the consequences? What are the consequences? Because I have health issues. But who doesn't anymore? Shouldn't we be going after the actual company that created the chemical? I did go to the doctor for blood work during that time because things were going haywire. They claimed my typical blood levels were fine. But what are they supposed to check when we are drinking a toxic substance? What does that show up as? I was trying so hard to figure out what my issues were... And here it may have been orange juice. But does that show up immediately within the two years I was consuming it or does it take time and show up ten years later?
ZathraMay 11, 2023 at 10:33 pm
I dranked simply orange juice every day and now I have all kind of things going wrong with my body
AngelaMay 9, 2023 at 4:32 pm
This is scary! I have drank this juice for years. The only juice that doesn't give me heartburn or headaches. Guess it was working on causing me other issues!
JACQUELYNApril 20, 2023 at 9:56 am
This is disappointing because my family and I have been drinking this brand for years. This is not good and I pray that something is going to be done.
MalcolmApril 15, 2023 at 8:21 am
i’ve drink this juice for years are from the early 2000s up until about 2018 and I am extremely disturbed about hearing this news because my family drink. I have a daughter was born with health problems and I wonder if it’s related to this juice..
CarltonMarch 15, 2023 at 7:16 pm
This is another way the rich get richer with their lies or cover ups Just no transparency. I've been drinking simply orange for over 15 years. I just poured out a container of this poison after I heard. I'm all in on this lawsuit.
JahliniFebruary 10, 2023 at 12:43 pm
I'm appalled at this breaking news. . I've been drinking simply tropical for years along with my kids.. Now I am concerned about my family health after consuming this cancer carcinogenic drink.. Im ready to sue today..
BeverlyJanuary 28, 2023 at 6:46 pm
I kp gaining weight & couldn't get pregnant wen I tried. Maybe, I'm learning, because of steadily drinking this juice.
MichaelJanuary 28, 2023 at 4:47 pm
I'm wondering whether the PFAs are a part of the product or the packaging. If the plastic packaging, they might test just fine at the point of origin but not after sitting in warehouses, on grocery shelves or in consumer refrigerators. This could be a case where the name with most money gets sued instead of the most culpable party.