Sprouts Farmers Market Lawsuit Claims Disposable Tableware Not as Compostable as Advertised
Tyndall v. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. et al.
Filed: January 10, 2025 ◆§ 1:25-cv-00048
A class action claims Sprouts and EcoSoul have misrepresented disposable tableware and cutlery sets as compostable.
California
A proposed class action lawsuit claims Sprouts Farmers Market and manufacturer EcoSoul Home, Inc. have misrepresented certain disposable tableware and cutlery sets as compostable, given the products contain “forever chemicals” that do not break down into usable compost.
Get the latest open class action lawsuits sent to your inbox. Sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter.
The 26-page lawsuit takes issue with EcoSoul’s single-use cutlery sets and tableware—including plates, bowls, straws, cold beverage cups and hot beverage cups with lids—which are sold under the Sprouts label and marketed as compostable. Per the class action suit, independent testing has indicated that the products contain “significant amounts” of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic chemicals that resist degradation and are linked to many adverse health and environmental effects.
The case explains that PFAS are commonly added to paper plates, bowls, food storage and packaging products because of the substances’ grease and water-resistant properties.
However, research warns against using PFAS in compostable product packaging, the complaint says. According to the filing, if products containing PFAS are placed into the compost stream, the chemicals can leach into the compost itself and any organic matter grown using the composted material.
“Compost is used as soil-conditioning material or fertilizer, so when compost is itself contaminated with PFAS, the PFAS then contaminate the soil treated or fertilized with that compost and whatever grows or grazes on that soil,” the lawsuit shares.
The Federal Trade Commission’s “Green Guides” specifically prohibit companies from labeling products as compostable if they release toxins into the compost as they break down, the suit relays.
As such, the case alleges the supposedly compostable tableware at issue is misrepresented, given that the PFAS the products contain will “never become part of usable compost.”
The complaint contends that the defendants have misled environmentally conscious consumers who are willing to pay more for products that are compostable or biodegradable. Customers would not have bought the tableware had they known the items contained PFAS and, therefore, would not break down into compostable material, the filing claims.
“By encouraging consumers to dispose of the Products in compost collection bins on the basis that the Products are allegedly compostable, [the defendants] are contaminating entire compost streams with PFAS materials that will not break down over time. The Products are then mixed with composted and compostable materials in an industrial composting facility and turned into soil fertilizer for crops and other foods. However, the PFAS will remain uncomposted, thus contaminating the crops grown in that soil. Environmentally motivated consumers who purchase the Products in the belief that such products are compostable are thus unwittingly hindering sustainable composing [sic] efforts.”
The Sprouts and EcoSoul lawsuit looks to represent anyone who purchased the disposable tableware or cutlery sets at issue for personal or household purposes in California within the applicable statute of limitations period.
Did you know that some class action settlements require no proof to submit a claim? Check out the latest open class action settlements.
Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
Women who developed ovarian or uterine cancer after using hair relaxers such as Dark & Lovely and Motions may now have an opportunity to take legal action.
Read more here: Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuits
How Do I Join a Class Action Lawsuit?
Did you know there's usually nothing you need to do to join, sign up for, or add your name to new class action lawsuits when they're initially filed?
Read more here: How Do I Join a Class Action Lawsuit?
Stay Current
Sign Up For
Our Newsletter
New cases and investigations, settlement deadlines, and news straight to your inbox.
Before commenting, please review our comment policy.