Ziploc Bag Class Action Lawsuit Claims Microwavable Bags Release Dangerous Levels of Microplastics

Ziploc Bag Class Action Lawsuit Claims Microwavable Bags Release Dangerous Levels of Microplastics

A California woman has filed a class action lawsuit alleging that certain Ziploc bags are made with polyethylene and polypropylene, which can release dangerous microplastics under extreme temperatures, such as those found in microwave ovens and freezers.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Linda Cheslow in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on April 25, naming S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. as the sole defendant.

S.C. Johnson has owned the Ziploc brand of plastic bags since 1998, when it acquired DowBrands. Ziploc bags are reclosable storage bags, typically made from polyethylene, which is a common type of food-grade plastic. However, polyethylene has been known to leach chemicals and microplastics under certain circumstances, including stress and heat.

Microplastics are small fragments of plastic, under 5 millimeters in length. In recent years, they have been found throughout people’s bodies, including human testicles and human brains. They are known to affect the endocrine system and interfere with the gut microbiome, also damaging DNA, which can lead to various other illnesses, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

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According to Cheslow’s lawsuit, Ziploc bags are marketed as “microwave safe” and “suitable for freezer use,” which prompted her to purchase them sometime in 2024.

However, since the bags are made from polyethylene and polypropylene, neither of these claims are factual, Cheslow says, claiming that the plastic materials can break down under microwave heat, while freezing the bags causes undue stress to the plastic. In both instances microplastics could then be released by the bags, the complaint points out.

As a result of these occurrences, Cheslow indicates that she and other individuals have exposed themselves and their families to undisclosed amounts of microplastics by using Ziploc bags merely as they are advertised by the manufacturer.

In her complaint, Cheslow mentions a handful of Ziploc products by name, including:

  • Ziploc Freezer Bags Pint/Small, Freezer Bags Quart/Medium and Freezer Bags Gallon/Large
  • Ziploc Slider Freezer Bags Quart/Medium
  • Ziploc Slider Freezer Gallon/Large Bags
  • Ziploc Slider Storage Bags Quart/Medium
  • Ziploc Slider Storage Bags Gallon/Large
  • Ziploc Containers

“Defendant affirmatively represents that the Products are ‘Microwave Safe,’ and/or fit for the ‘Freezer,’ leading consumers to believe they are fit to be microwaved and frozen without risk of microplastics leaching into their food,” the lawsuit states. “At the same time, Defendant omits material information that the Products release microplastics when microwaved and frozen as intended, directed and instructed.”

Cheslow raises allegations of violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act, as well as unjust enrichment.

She is seeking certification of class action status for her lawsuit, including a subclass for California residents, as well as declaratory relief, injunction, damages, restitution, disgorgement and punitive penalties from S.C. Johnson.


64 Comments


Larissa
I have been buying this brand for years believing their products were safe to use. I am so livid.

Katheryn
I’ve been using this product for decades how do I know if I’ve been exposed and if so what kind of risk for harm are involved?

Heidi
I have started to use these bags since 2016 to now. My elderly mom and Dad started to use them more recently. To freeze and Warm Up. It’s scary for I use them to divide and keep small pieces of toys gathered up and not fall out for my granddaughter toys. I use it to make traveling sandwhiches too. Left overs to be in fridge and warmed up even. I use the Freezer type always. I have health issues. I would like to know more about how to test? And what other illnesses it can cause? Please

Rodney
My family been using this product for 20 years

Rodney
My family used this items for 10 years..My daughter used it to pack her lunch every day.My wife have an autoimmune disease and I high blood pressure.. My daughter is going test for ADHD.

Angela
I use a ziplock bags for everything. I put them in the freezer with my food after I take them out the original package. I need it for my dry foods because I believe that it was better ceiling. And I even use it for the refrigerator left my grades and other fruits in there

Desiree
I have been a Ziploc customer my whole life my grandmother was my mother was. I have Ziploc products in my cupboards right now. This is very worrying to me my grandmother did pass away from heart disease.

Denise
Add me I have been using this product for years and my kids use the named product in this suit to take their snacks to school every day

Debra
I have used ziplock storage & freezer bags for years this is very important information and very disturbing.

John
I use these in freezer and microwave. Now have many medical issues as well as ED

Larry
I have been using Ziploc freezer bags specifically because they say FREEZER on them. I mean I know heating any kind of plastic is not good but freezing I thought was safe, especially when the packaging says FREEZER on them, DOW that is messed up!

Nathan
I just wanted to share this point of fact for me anyway. I have been using the ziplock brand of freezer bags both gallon and the court size. Three things that I have found to be completely accurate with the usage of the bags. First off, the Johnson&Johnson company was putting the phrase “can be used in the microwave but use caution high heat and medium heat levels may cause the bag to melt” for years. Then that phrase and other phrases similar on other products all but disappeared, and that’s directly due to changes in labeling laws ( as I found out about 8 years or more ago while attending cooking school). Even some of the microwave companies were suggesting to not put any type of plastic bags in microwaves. Due to risk of melting and contamination of the food (microplastics). Secondly, for myself during the whole time that I’ve been using the two sizes of ziplock freezer bags. Which includes freezer burn, leaks, or tears in the bag. Thirdly, I believe it was a little over 4 years ago. That a lot of the news stations were covering a release from some of the science Symposium meetings around the planet. That mentioned using plastic food storage containers for reheating the food in the microwave. Was showing to result in the separation of little microplastic pieces that would go into the food. I remember the new story giving suggestions of how to decrease the amount of microplastics. And that was by simply using plastic utensils to stir and mix the food that’s being heated. Of which if you chose to just eat the food straight from the container you would continue to use the plastic utensils. Plus it’s common knowledge that if you use any metal utensils on plastic it’s going to cause little pieces to tear off. Overall conclusion that the new show had ended with was it the scientist stated this type of microplastic bleeding has been happening for the longest time. Which is why it was suggested that you either remove the food to be reheated from the container and use a pottery bowl or plate instead of a plastic container for reheating in the microwave. Or you could use glass containers even the main purpose is to cut back on the amount of microplastics that you would normally be ingesting without realizing it. In closing I would recommend instead of going after the individual zipper storage bag manufacturers like Johnson & Johnson / ziplock or the other companies that make the plastic storage sealable bags. The focus should be pointed towards the government officials from way back when that some I believe are still in office today. That pushed for the different labeling law and other changes that directly affected those cautionary comments from being put on the boxes. That would be in my opinion the direction to go because at this point it’s not the manufacturer’s responsibility to come up with a product that science has already proven would not help us from ingesting microplastics. The only other smart alternative to using the Ziplock storage bags and other manufacturers products that are similar. Is my having those items completely removed from the shelves and having all plastic storage items that could have the potential of being used for food storage whether in the freezer or outside of the freezer, and completely eradicate them. Keep in mind though if you’re using plastic storage shelves at home even if they’re made out of the PVC piping. Virtually every time you remove something that is metal or has a sharp edge to part of that product. While you remove it off the shelf you are causing little micro scrapes to happen thus kicking those fibers into the air and guess what you breathe them in. So please take your lawsuit towards the perpetrators that are the cause of the issue instead of trying to do a lawsuit that is just going to band-aid and already existing wound. As a collective hole we have to go after the cause of the wound and it’s not the plastic bag companies food storage or otherwise. Thank you for taking the time to read my comment if you have and have a good day

Ryan
Wow I’ve been using ziploc bags for years to store food in freezer I always thought it was safe to use in freezer because of the information on the package

Jenna
Y’know, I can’t think of a single person in my entire life who hasn’t used Ziploc bags at some point–myself included. It’s just one of those things you don’t even think about as being a hazard. These types of products, for many of us, have been around since we were children; our parents used them, and our grandparents used them, especially to store food that needed to be frozen–nevermind that your food still ended up freezer burnt 9/10 times. Hell, I vacuum-seal my frozen foods now, and didn’t even think to check if the plastic I’m using could be doing the same thing, but I’m damn sure going to check now! All I know is, if this does end up as a class action, I hope S.C. Johnson has enough liquidity to pay 330 Million Americans–because I can guarantee that’s how many people have used Ziploc bags at some point to microwave or freeze food. EVERYONE. It’s like teflon–and look where we are now.

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