Costco's Kirkland Baby Wipes Accused of Containing Harmful PFAS Chemicals
Parents and caregivers are expressing concern following allegations that Costco's Kirkland brand fragrance-free baby wipes contain harmful PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances). These chemicals are notorious for their persistence in the environment and the human body and have been linked to a range of serious health issues.
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Costco, alleging that its Kirkland brand fragrance-free baby wipes contain unsafe levels of PFAS. The lawsuit follows a Consumer Reports investigation that named Kirkland among several brands containing concerning chemicals.
Despite Costco's claims that their product is made with naturally derived ingredients, a Department of Defense ELAP-certified lab found 3.7 parts per billion (ppb) of PFAS in the wipes. The plaintiffs argue that this misrepresentation has led to direct PFAS exposure to infants and babies, posing a serious health risk.
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals designed to resist water and grease, making them common in products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and now, alarmingly, baby wipes. PFAS have been linked to several serious health conditions, including cancer, thyroid dysfunction, developmental delays in children, early puberty, and behavioral changes.
The complaint highlights the presence of PFAS in Kirkland baby wipes as "particularly alarming" due to the sensitivity of babies' skin. The health risk becomes "even more alarming" considering that parents and caregivers typically use between 10,000 to 12,000 baby wipes annually, according to the filing.
The class action lawsuit accuses Costco and its manufacturer, Nice-Pak Products Inc., of negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment or omission, fraud, unjust enrichment, breach of express warranty, and violations of New York General Business Law and California’s False Advertising Law, Consumers Legal Remedies Act, and Unfair Competition Law.
"Direct PFAS exposure to infants and babies from defendant’s wipes pose a health risk, the likes of which plaintiffs and class members sought to avoid by purchasing defendant’s plant-based, natural-material, toxin-free products for their babies," the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit aims to include all individuals in the United States who purchased fragrance-free Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes within the relevant statute of limitations period.