Toxic Baby Food Lawsuit: Autism & ADHD Claims
Parents whose children were exposed to heavy metals in some brands of baby food and developed autism or ADHD may be able to file a toxic baby food lawsuit against manufacturers. Lawsuits claim baby food makers knowingly sold products with toxic metals and failed to warn parents about the potential harm.
Heavy Metals Baby Food Lawsuit Eligibility Checklist
We created a checklist for lawsuits over heavy metals in baby food to help you determine your eligibility. This checklist includes brands of baby food and health conditions your child may have developed.
- Ate a brand of baby food that tested high for heavy metals, including Beech-Nut, Earth's Best Organic, Gerber, HappyBaby, Happy Family Organics, Parent’s Choice, Plum Organics or Sprout Organic.
- Received a diagnosis of autism or ADHD after exposure to toxic metals in baby food.
The unique deadline for filing a lawsuit in your state, known as the statute of limitations, might also affect your eligibility. Some of these deadlines could be as little as one year. A lawyer will be able to tell you about this deadline.
Even if you don’t think you’re eligible, it can be worthwhile to speak with an attorney. Only they can tell you if you qualify, and you don’t lose anything by talking to them.
How To File a Toxic Baby Food Lawsuit
The first step in filing a toxic baby food lawsuit is finding an experienced product liability lawyer. We understand that filing a toxic baby food lawsuit can feel overwhelming and emotionally draining, especially for a family with young children who may have suffered injuries from baby food they thought was safe.
Consumer Notice can help make filing an autism or ADHD baby food lawsuit as easy and stress-free as possible. All you have to do is sign up for a free case review and let our experienced legal partners evaluate your case. There’s no pressure, just answers about your options.
- Asking you how you were affected by toxic baby food in a free case review.
- Gathering evidence about your case, such as medical records, proof you bought the baby food (receipts) and expert opinions on how heavy metals increase the risk of autism or ADHD.
- Filing your toxic baby food lawsuit.
- Negotiating a toxic baby food lawsuit settlement or preparing your case for trial and representing you in court.
Your lawyer will litigate your case with compassion, and you don’t have to pay anything unless they win your case.
Baby Food Autism Lawsuit Compensation
Compensation for baby food autism lawsuits can include awards for physical, financial and mental injuries. This covers past, present and future damages.
- Pain, suffering and lost earnings
- Special education and lifelong care
- Therapy and medical bills
Because children with autism or ADHD may require lifelong treatment, compensation could include financial assistance for all aspects of their care. Heavy metal exposure may also lead to antisocial behavior, lower earning potential and a greater risk of criminal activity.
Why Parents Are Filing Heavy-Metal Baby Food Lawsuits
Parents are filing heavy-metal baby food lawsuits because a government investigation found that several brands of baby food contained unsafe levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. This led to concerns about food safety for young children.
- 5 times the acceptable level for mercury
- 69 times the acceptable level for cadmium
- 91 times the acceptable level for arsenic
- 177 times the acceptable level for lead
Studies in Frontiers in Pediatrics and Environmental Research have shown that children exposed to these heavy metals have a higher risk of developing autism or ADHD.
Lawsuits claim that baby food manufacturers knew they were selling products that exposed children to dangerous levels of heavy metals, yet they didn’t warn consumers. Furthermore, defendants failed to uphold child safety and protect children from toxic metals. Instead, they exposed them to the risk of autism, ADHD and other health issues.
Brands Named in Heavy Metals Baby Food Lawsuits
The government investigation found dangerous levels of heavy metals in specific baby food brands, including Gerber and Walmart’s Parent’s Choice.
- Beech-Nut, sold by Beech-Nut Nutrition Company
- Earth’s Best Organic, sold by Hain Celestial Group, Inc.
- Gerber, sold by Gerber Products Company
- HappyBaby and Happy Family Organics, sold by Nurture, Inc.
- Parent’s Choice, sold by Walmart
- Plum Organics, sold by Campbell Soup Company
- Sprout Organic, sold by Sprout Foods, Inc.
Though Nestlé, Danone and Hero A.G. weren’t mentioned in the government investigation, they have been included as defendants in the Master Complaint.
Baby Food Multidistrict Litigation Timeline
In April 2024, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated toxic baby food lawsuits into multidistrict litigation (MDL 3101) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. MDLs are large groups of cases with common facts that the panel combines into a single litigation for discovery and pretrial proceedings to make the process more efficient.
So far, the litigation is in the early stages, and no bellwether test trials have been scheduled. As of August 2025, defendants have been trying to dismiss the plaintiffs’ Master Complaint. We’ll report back once discovery has begun and the court has set the trial dates.
FAQs About Toxic Baby Food Lawsuits
- How many people have filed toxic baby food lawsuits?
- As of July 2025, there are 180 toxic baby food lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
- Does baby food cause autism and ADHD?
- No. Baby food itself doesn’t cause autism or ADHD. However, exposure to high levels of heavy metals in certain brands of baby food may increase the risk of children developing autism and ADHD.
- Have there been any baby food recalls for heavy metals?
- Yes, there have been recalls for heavy metals in baby food. In June 2021, Beech-Nut Nutrition recalled its Beech-Nut baby food due to an unacceptable level of arsenic. In March 2025, Fruselva issued a recall for its Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable Puree due to elevated lead levels. In May 2025, Publix recalled its GreenWise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food because of the potential for lead contamination.
- Which baby food companies are being sued?
- Beech-Nut Nutrition Company, Campbell Soup Company, Danone, Gerber Products Company, Hain Celestial Group, Hero A.G., Nestlé, Nurture, Inc., Sprout Foods, Inc., & Walmart
- How are toxic baby food lawsuit settlement amounts determined?
- All cases are different, but factors that could determine the amount of a baby food settlement include the severity of a child’s injuries, the medical expenses they incurred, their need for future care and the amounts of any previous settlements or jury verdicts.
18 Cited Research Articles
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