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Driscoll’s faces class action over alleged greenwashing tied to PFAS
Plaintiffs allege testing found residue of a dozen pesticides, including PFAS, on Driscoll’s strawberries despite the company’s sustainability marketing claims.
Driscoll’s Inc. is facing a California class action that accuses the world’s largest berry producer of misleading consumers with “greenwashing” related to pesticide use, including so called “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, according to Insurance Journal.
The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in Superior Court in California, alleges violations of false advertising, unfair competition, and the state’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act. Plaintiffs say an independent study found pesticide residue on Driscoll’s strawberries, including residue from 12 different pesticides, with eight of them described as PFAS.
According to the complaint, customers are increasingly concerned about environmental consequences from persistent synthetic chemicals that can contaminate soil and water, and that Driscoll’s sustainability and environmental stewardship statements influenced purchasing decisions. The filing also points to what it characterizes as misleading partial disclosures supporting the brand’s premium reputation.
Driscoll’s said it maintains robust food safety and compliance programs and rigorous standards, and it added that its berries are safe to eat and meet applicable regulatory standards. The company spokesperson also said the firm has worked for more than 100 years to communicate responsibly about its products and growing practices.