For many parents, finding affordable baby formula is a constant juggle. Store-brand formulas are lifesavers for many wallets, but a new class action lawsuit has some parents worried. The lawsuit alleges that two major baby formula companies may have been working together to inflate the prices of those very store-brand formulas.
The lawsuit, filed on April 22, 2024, names Gerber and Perrigo, two big names in baby formula. The core allegation? That these companies made a secret deal to limit competition in the store-brand market. Here's how it supposedly worked:
If the allegations hold true, it could mean that parents like you might have been:
Four parents – Thomas Conry from California, Kelsey Daker from Illinois, Hailey Ronayne from Michigan, and Robyn Sussman from Pennsylvania – filed the class action lawsuit against Gerber and Perrigo, Reuters reported. These parents, who all purchased store-brand baby formula, are seeking to represent millions of customers nationwide who may have been impacted by the alleged price-fixing scheme. Here's what they're hoping for:
It's important to remember that this is a new lawsuit, and the allegations haven't been proven yet. Both Gerber and Perrigo have denied any wrongdoing. The courts will decide if there's any truth to these claims.
This isn't the only legal hurdle Gerber is facing. The company is also part of a recently consolidated Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) involving hundreds of lawsuits from parents who allege that baby food products from several major manufacturers, including Gerber, contained harmful heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury.
These metals are linked to developmental problems in children, and the lawsuit raises concerns about potential long-term health effects.
While the legal battles play out, here are some tips for parents:
By staying informed and making smart choices, you can help ensure your baby gets the essential nutrients they need at a fair price.
The plaintiffs and proposed class are represented by Wyatt B. Durrette Jr. and Kevin J. Funk of Durrette Arkema Gerson & Gill PC; Simon B. Paris and Patrick Howard of Saltz Mongeluzzi and Bendesky PC; Michael J. Boni, Joshua D. Snyder, John E. Sindoni, and Benjamin J. Eichel of Boni Zack & Snyder LLC; Jeffrey J. Corrigan and Jeffrey L. Spector of Spector Roseman & Kodroff PC; and Roberta D. Liebenberg and Gerard A. Dever of Fine Kaplan & Black RPC.
The Gerber Perrigo baby food price fixing class action lawsuit is Conry et al v. Gerber Products Company et al, Case No. 3:24-cv-00295 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
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