Eco-Friendly Diapers? Lawsuit Claims Coterie Misled Parents About PFAS

A California mom, Roz Saedi, has filed a class action lawsuit against Coterie Baby, a popular eco-friendly diaper company. The lawsuit alleges deceptive marketing, accusing Coterie Baby of falsely advertising its diapers as "PFAS-free" despite containing these potentially harmful chemicals. 

Saedi's complaint further challenges the adequacy of Coterie's testing methods for perfluorinated compounds (PFAS), arguing that these chemicals are so ubiquitous in the environment that achieving a truly PFAS-free diaper might be impossible.

Greenwashing Gone Wrong? Coterie Baby Faces Lawsuit Over PFAS Claims

Coterie Baby has built its brand on a commitment to safe and non-toxic baby products. Their marketing heavily features claims like "free from harmful chemicals" and "PFAS-Free Diapers." They further assure customers that their diapers undergo rigorous testing to be "free of" or "below detectable levels" for nearly 200 chemicals, including PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

Saedi's lawsuit alleges Coterie's marketing and labeling across various platforms, including packaging, website, and social media, mislead consumers into believing Coterie diapers are entirely free of harmful chemicals, including PFAS. This includes specific claims like "if any chemical may be considered toxic...you won't find it in our diapers."

PFAS in Your Baby's Diapers? Understanding the Health Risks

PFAS are man-made chemicals referred to as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally in the environment and can accumulate in the human body. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) links PFAS exposure to various health risks, including cancer, liver damage, and immune system problems.

Saedi's lawsuit hinges on independent testing commissioned by herself, which allegedly found PFAS chemicals in Coterie diapers. This directly contradicts Coterie's claims of being PFAS-free and raises concerns about potential health risks for babies wearing the diapers.

The complaint further alleges that “Rather, to capitalize on increasing consumer demand for diapers that are free from harmful chemicals, including PFAS, Defendant has knowingly and willfully deployed a concerted strategy to distinguish its Products from competing options in the highly competitive diaper market by representing Coterie Diapers as entirely free of harmful chemicals, including PFAS.”

A Premium Price for "Safe" Diapers? 

Saedi argues that consumers, like herself, pay a premium for Coterie diapers believing they are getting a safer, non-toxic product for their babies. Coterie positions itself differently from competitors by heavily promoting its products as free of harmful chemicals. This focus on safety is a major reason parents choose Coterie diapers.

“If Defendant had disclosed to consumers, including Plaintiff, that Coterie Diapers in fact contained PFAS—and was thus not entirely free of harmful chemicals—consumers, including Plaintiff, would not have purchased Coterie Diapers or they would have paid less for them,” the lawsuit states.

Beyond Diapers: The Growing PFAS Problem in Everyday Products

Concerns about PFAS are not limited to diapers. A recent class action lawsuit filed by California parents alleges that Enfamil infant formula also contains these harmful chemicals. Similar lawsuits target a range of other products, highlighting the widespread presence of PFAS in our everyday lives. These include:

• Bic Razors
• Target Up & Up Flexible Fabric Bandages
• Health-Ade Kombucha
• Kerrygold Butter (whose "pure" label is challenged due to the presence of PFAS)

Saedi seeks to represent all consumers nationwide who purchased Coterie diapers based on the company's marketing. She is requesting injunctive relief, requiring Coterie to:

• Launch a public information campaign informing consumers about the presence of PFAS in their diapers.
• Clearly disclose the presence of PFAS at the point of sale.
• Take steps to remove PFAS from their diapers.

The Coterie baby diapers PFAS class action lawsuit also seeks compensation for damages suffered by Saedi and the proposed class of consumers.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Saedi v. Coterie Baby, Inc.
• Case Number: 1:24-cv-3893-DLC
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Annie Friedman (Avorn LLC)
• Eric S. Dwoskin (Dwoskin Wasdin LLP)