Ziploc, the well-known kitchen storage brand, is facing a class action lawsuit alleging it misled consumers about the safety of its products. The lawsuit claims that Ziploc knowingly marketed its plastic storage bags as safe for microwave and freezer use, despite the risk of microplastics leaching into food.
California resident Linda Cheslow filed the complaint late last month in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. She is seeking to certify the case as a class action on behalf of other consumers who may have been exposed to microplastics through regular use of Ziploc products.
The lawsuit, reported by About Lawsuits, argues that Ziploc’s single-use storage bags pose “an undisclosed material risk” to consumers. Made from polyethylene and polypropylene, the bags allegedly leach microplastics when used as advertised — in microwaves and freezers.
“This risk is exacerbated by the Products’ intended and foreseeable use,” the complaint states, noting that Ziploc actively markets its products as “Microwave Safe” and suitable for freezer storage. Cheslow claims there are no warnings about the potential for microplastic contamination, which creates a “recurring and persistent threat” to consumers’ health.
The filing accuses Ziploc of engaging in “false, misleading, and deceptive labeling, advertising, and marketing practices,” arguing that the company exploits consumer expectations. Shoppers believe the products can be used safely in microwaves and freezers without risk of contamination, the lawsuit says.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that have been found to accumulate in human bodies, including in blood, lungs, and even heart tissue. Experts warn that these particles could cause chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular damage, although research on the long-term health effects is ongoing.
“This is particularly concerning given that microplastics bioaccumulate in the body, meaning that each exposure and consumption compounds the risk of long-term health harm,” the lawsuit notes.
Ziploc’s parent company has not yet responded publicly to the allegations.
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