Two major manufacturers of plastic baby bottles are facing proposed class action lawsuits in California federal court over allegations that they failed to warn parents about the potential dangers of microplastics leaching from their products when heated.
The lawsuits, filed on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, target Philips North America and Handi-Craft Company. They claim that the companies were aware their popular baby bottles would be heated during normal use but did not inform parents that this could cause the bottles to release microplastics.
The suits allege that polypropylene bottles and cups sold under the brands Philips Avent and Handi-Craft’s Dr. Brown expose infants to tiny plastic particles when heated. These microplastics are said to potentially interfere with infants’ digestive, reproductive, and immune systems.
Despite advertising their products as “BPA free”—indicating they do not contain Bisphenol A, a chemical known to leach from some plastics when heated—the lawsuits argue that the companies create a misleading sense of safety, as their products still leach microplastics into the liquids they contain.
Shireen Clarkson, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, expressed particular concern about the impact of microplastics on babies and infants.
The plaintiffs, who are California residents, aim to represent both state and nationwide purchasers of these products. They are seeking damages and an injunction to stop the sale of the bottles and the marketing that suggests they are safe.
The cases are titled Tuliisa Miller et al v. Philips North America LLC, case number 3:24-cv-03781, and Alejandrina Cortez et al v. Handi-Craft Company Inc, case number 3:24-cv-03782.
Representatives for Philips and Handi-Craft have not yet responded to requests for comment.
