Bolthouse Farms is one of the most popular juice brands in the United States, a mainstay in upscale food stores and supermarkets across the country.
Millions of people purchase these drinks with the hopes of getting a healthy, nutritious drink to help them power through their day.
What many consumers of these products don’t realize is that they may be getting far more than they bargained for, however — at least in terms of a type of chemical that has been in the news recently for its potentially harmful effects on all who are exposed to it.
Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged Chemical Contamination
The lawsuit, filed by plaintiff Gwendolyn Smith, alleges that Bolthouse Farms drinks contain toxic PFAS (“forever chemicals”) at levels well above the federal advisory for drinking water, according to a report from the website EcoWatch.
The suit specifically mentions the company’s ‘Green Goddess’ product, which contains pineapple juice, mango puree, apple juice and banana puree among other ingredients.
Smith said that she thought the smoothies were safe and didn’t contain any harmful ingredients because of what she read on the label, adding that she believes the company “engaged in pervasive marketing efforts” promoting its smoothies as natural while the contain the toxic PFAS chemicals, according to Top Class Actions.
Such chemicals are in a class of about 12,000 used to make heat, water and stain-resistant products. These chemicals remain in the environment, however, and have been linked to kidney and liver issues, cancer, autoimmune disorders and other complications.
“Plaintiff’s testing has revealed that the Product contains per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (“PFAS”), a category of synthetic chemicals that are, by definition, artificial,” the lawsuit states.
Bolthouse Farms did not comment on the lawsuit.
Tests also found compounds 6:2 FTOH and PFHxS, both of which have been linked to a similar health concerns as the aforementioned chemical.
“When FDA falters, the law firms that are out there are going to protect their clients because the FDA is not dealing with it,” said Tom Neltner, the chemicals policy director for the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund.
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