Earth’s Best Organic, a popular brand of commercial baby food products, has come under scrutiny due to potentially unsafe levels of toxic heavy metals detected during internal and independent testing. Lawsuits allege that Earth’s Best Organic baby food may contain elevated levels of arsenic, lead, or mercury, making them unsafe to consume. Exposure to even low levels of these heavy metals has been linked with an increased risk of certain developmental issues, including ADHD and autism.
Parents of children diagnosed with a developmental, neurological, or behavioral disorder after consuming Earth’s Best Organic baby food are encouraged to seek legal counsel. This page can help consumers understand why people are filing lawsuits against Earth’s Best Organic, the eligibility requirements for filing a claim, and provide guidance for affected families.
If you believe your child's condition is linked to the consumption of Earth's Best Organic baby food, the attorneys at Wisner Baum are here to help. We have extensive experience in litigation against major baby food manufacturers and offer a free and confidential case evaluation to discuss your options.
August 2025: Pending Actions in Baby Food MDL Double Since January
The number of pending actions in MDL No. 3101: In Re: Baby Food Products Liability Litigation has doubled since January. Currently, there are over 200 pending actions in the multidistrict litigation filed in the Northern District of California, up from 88 in January of this year. The MDL includes lawsuits filed against nearly all major baby food manufacturers, including Hain Celestial, which makes Earth’s Best baby food products.
May 2025: Hain Celestial CEO Exits Amid Poor Financial Performance
On May 7, 2025, Hain Celestial, the manufacturer of Earth’s Best Organics, announced the abrupt departure of its CEO and President, Wendy Davidson. The announcement comes after a dismal quarterly report with lower-than-expected profits. The company is also undertaking a strategic review of its portfolio as the stock dropped nearly 50%. It is unclear how litigation pending against the company has affected these numbers and the subsequent decision to remove Davidson from the helm.
April 2025: Judge Sets Direct File Deadline in Baby Food MDL
Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley has set a direct file deadline in the baby food multidistrict litigation. In April 2024, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized multiple cases into MDL No. 3101 - In Re: Baby Food Products Liability Litigation. As of April 2025, there are 135 pending actions in the MDL. During a case management conference, Judge Corley notified parties that Pretrial Order No. 5, which allows plaintiffs to direct file claims that would otherwise be subject to transfer, would expire on November 21, 2025.
March 2025: Illinois Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Regulate Baby Food Products with Toxic Heavy Metals
A bill introduced in the Illinois State Senate would amend the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to require baby food manufacturers who sell or distribute baby food products in the state to comply with heavy metal limits established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If passed, the amendment would require manufacturers like Hain Celestial to sample their products and undergo monthly testing. Several provisions would take effect on January 1, 2026.
January 2025: Baby Food Manufacturers Must Now Publish Details of Internal Testing Data in California
A clause in Assembly Bill 899 requiring baby food manufacturers who sell products in California to publish details of their internal testing data is now effective. According to the bill, which passed last year, baby food manufacturers who sell in California must make public the name and level of any toxic element detected in their products. Earth’s Best Organics notes on its website that it is committed to transparency and enables consumers to search for heavy metal levels by entering the product name or date code.
Multiple reports, including third-party testing and internal data, found that Earth’s Best Organic products contained elevated levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. When humans, particularly young children and infants, are exposed to these toxins, it can cause serious cognitive and neurological harm. It is alleged that even low levels of exposure may increase a child’s risk of developing ADHD, autism, and other developmental disorders.
Testing shows that nearly all commercial baby food products sold in the United States, including Earth’s Best Organic, contain these toxic heavy metals. As a result of the widespread contamination, claims have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL).
Parents of children who have been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, or another developmental condition after consuming Earth’s Best Organic baby food products are encouraged to contact an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help determine eligibility and pursue compensation for valid cases.
The Earth’s Best Organic brand is owned by global food and snack provider, Hain Celestial Group, Inc. According to its website, Hain Celestial products are marketed and sold in over 75 countries. Earth’s Best began as an organic food company out of Vermont in 1985. It has since grown to encompass a wide range of organic and non-GMO baby and toddler food products, from infant formula to Veggie Puffs.
Types of Products Sold by Earth’s Best Organic:
After receiving allegations of high levels of heavy metals in processed baby food products in the US, the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy issued a request for internal documents and test results from the largest baby food manufacturers in the country, including Hain Celestial. After reviewing the internal testing data, the House of Representatives published “Baby Foods Are Tainted with Dangerous Levels of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury,” which disclosed just how alarming the problem is and how it may be affecting children nationwide.
According to the Congressional Report, Earth’s Best Organic sold products containing:
The Congressional report found that Hain (Earth’s Best Organic) regularly sold products that exceeded its internal standards for heavy metal levels. According to internal documents, over half of Earth’s Best Organic brown rice baby food products contained inorganic arsenic levels over 100 ppb.
Independent testing and internal documentation confirm that there are toxic heavy metals in Earth’s Best Organic baby food products. According to the 2021 Congressional Report on the matter, it was not only naturally occurring heavy metals that caused contamination, but the individual ingredients added during manufacturing, such as Hain’s vitamin and mineral pre-mix. Evidence shows that Hain did not regularly test final products, instead relying on testing from individual ingredients, which officials believe is inadequate to assess the actual level of heavy metals found in the products.
Experts agree that there is no safe level of inorganic arsenic exposure for infants and toddlers. Consuming food or water with even low levels of inorganic arsenic can lead to lower IQ, neurological disorders, immunological effects, and developmental delays.
Despite the dangers associated with inorganic arsenic exposure, Hain Celestial sold products with Organic Brown Rice Flour that had an arsenic level of 309 ppb. The company’s vitamin pre-mix had an arsenic result of 223 ppb, and its organic whole raisins tested at 200 ppb.
Lead exposure presents a substantial risk to human health, particularly for children who are still developing. In January 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued final guidance on lead levels in baby food products. FDA action levels for lead are 10 ppb for fruits, vegetables (except single-ingredient root vegetables), mixtures, yogurts, puddings, and meats, and 20 ppb for single-ingredient root vegetables and dry infant cereals.
Hain’s Vitamin Pre-Mix ingredient contained as much as 352 ppb lead when tested. Additionally, at least six ingredients tested had lead levels exceeding 200 ppb, including organic quick oats and organic whole wheat fine flour.
Cadmium is a naturally occurring substance that can cause severe harm when consumed. Exposure can result in diminished IQ and has been linked to an increased risk of ADHD. The Congressional report found that Earth’s Best Organic ingredients contained up to 260 ppb cadmium. Additionally, over 100 ingredients were tested at levels exceeding 20 ppb cadmium. On the higher end was Organic Barley Flour used by the company, as well as Organic Chopped Broccoli, and Organic Date Paste.
Consumer advocacy groups argue that there is no measurable amount of mercury that is safe for consumption. Mercury exposure, particularly in early childhood, has been linked with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Hain did not test Earth’s Best Organic products or ingredients for mercury.
Earth’s Best Organics has a wide range of infant, baby, and toddler food products. From infant formula to toddler snack puffs, the brand is well-known and considered a leader in the industry. While their products are marketed and labeled as organic and non-GMO, they still have concerning levels of heavy metals. It is important for parents to know that organic foods are not necessarily safer due to their labeling.
A 2019 study by Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF) found that 95% of all commercial baby food products had one or more toxic heavy metals. In fact, 94% of those tested had detectable levels of lead, and 73% of baby foods contained arsenic.
Earth’s Best Organic products identified by HBBF as having high levels of heavy metals:
There have been no brand-wide recalls issued by Hain Celestial in relation to Earth’s Best Organic products. However, a lack of a formal recall does not prevent parents from being able to take legal action against the manufacturer. It is imperative to act quickly. Failure to file a claim within the legal deadline may result in a dismissal or denial of the case. Affected families are encouraged to contact a qualified toxic baby food lawyer today.
It is expected that a large number of families will qualify for a toxic baby food lawsuit. The largest baby food manufacturers in the country, including Hain Celestial, have products containing elevated levels of toxic heavy metals. In order to determine eligibility, it is strongly recommended that parents contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible.
Eligibility criteria for an Earth’s Best baby food lawsuit:
In order to ensure all legal requirements are met, it is important to reach out to Wisner Baum as early as possible. Our toxic baby food attorneys will provide an in-depth case evaluation and help to determine eligibility.
In 2024, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued an order to consolidate cases against baby food manufacturers to a multidistrict litigation (MDL) out of the Northern District of California.
Parents of children diagnosed with autism or other neurological disorders after consuming Earth’s Best Organic products may be able to join existing litigation. An MDL helps to streamline the pre-trial process while still allowing for individualized compensation.
Successful claimants in Earth’s Best baby food lawsuits may be eligible for compensation. Compensation in a toxic baby food legal claim may include economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages may include compensation for medical bills, future care and treatment, therapy costs, lost wages, special education services, out-of-pocket losses, and loss of future earning capacity.
Non-economic damages include compensation for emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, loss of companionship, and other losses. It is important to note that every case is different and compensation will depend on the individual factors of the claim, including the severity of the diagnosis, history of exposure, and provable damages.
Families interested in taking legal action against Hain’s Celestial based on heavy metals in their Earth’s Best Organic products are encouraged to contact an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help evaluate the claim to determine eligibility and provide assistance throughout the legal process.
Steps for filing an Earth’s Best Baby Food lawsuit:
Parents of children who were diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or another neurological disorder after eating Earth’s Best Organic food are encouraged to take legal action against Hain Celestial. Aggrieved families can contact Wisner Baum to schedule a free, no-obligation legal consultation. The legal team at Wisner Baum will fight for justice for families harmed by toxic baby food products sold in the US. Early action is critical and can help to ensure compensation is received in qualified claims.
Independent testing cited in a 2021 Congressional Report found that Earth’s Best Organic baby food products contain elevated levels of heavy metals. Heavy metals found in Earth’s Best products include arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
Legal deadlines in a toxic baby food lawsuit may depend on the specific circumstances of the case. The best way to determine how long you have to file a lawsuit is by consulting with an attorney.
Parents whose children were diagnosed with autism and/or ADHD after consuming Earth’s Best Organic baby food products may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, Hain Celestial.
Internal and independent testing shows that Earth’s Best oatmeal may contain dangerous levels of heavy metals. It is important to search for the published levels of heavy metals in each product and then consult with a pediatrician about whether it is safe to consume.
Independent testing shows that Earth’s Best oatmeal may have heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
In most cases, consuming even low levels of heavy metals can cause serious harm, particularly in children. For instance, exposure to mercury has been linked with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental problems, such as cognitive delays and behavioral issues in children. Testing confirms that many Earth’s Best Organic products contain at least one heavy metal.
While there are many potential causes of autism, studies indicate that heavy metal exposure may increase a person’s risk of developing the condition. An attorney can help determine what documentation may be needed to link your child’s consumption of Earth’s Best Organic baby food products to their diagnosis.
A Healthy Babies Bright Futures study found that 95% of commercial baby food products had detectable levels of heavy metals, including Earth’s Best Organic. Hain Celestial generally tested individual ingredients instead of finished products. Ingredients with high levels of heavy metals include rice flour, wheat flour, and vegetables used in Earth’s Best products.
Receipts showing proof of purchase, feeding logs, and product labels can help to prove your child ate Earth’s Best baby food products. Individuals are encouraged to speak with an attorney to determine whether they qualify for compensation.
Earth’s Best has not done a brand-wide recall related to heavy metal contamination in its products. However, the lack of a recall does not prevent parents from taking legal action against the company for putting a dangerous product on the market.
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In May of 2019, the jury in the case of Pilliod et al. v, Monsanto Company ordered the agrochemical giant to pay $2.055 billion in damages to the plaintiffs, Alva and Alberta Pilliod, a Bay Area couple in their 70s. R. Brent Wisner served as co-lead trial attorney for the Pilliods, delivering the opening and closing statements and cross-examining several of Monsanto’s experts. Wisner Baum managing shareholder, Michael Baum and attorney Pedram Esfandiary also served on the trial team in the Pilliod case.
The judge later reduced their award to $87M. Monsanto appealed the Pilliod’s verdict which the California Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District denied on August 9, 2021. Monsanto then requested the California Supreme Court review the appeal’s court decision, which the court denied on Nov. 17, 2021. Monsanto (Bayer) then submitted a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court which SCOTUS denied on June 27, 2022, allowing the final judgment of $87M to remain intact.
$289.2 million jury verdict in Monsanto Roundup trial
Wisner Baum co-represented Dewayne “Lee” Johnson in the first Roundup cancer lawsuit to proceed to trial. On Aug. 10, 2018, a San Francisco jury ordered Monsanto to pay $39.25 million in compensatory damages and $250 million in punitive damages to Mr. Johnson, a former groundskeeper who alleged exposure to Monsanto’s herbicides caused him to develop terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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In 2016, Wisner Baum attorney Timothy A. Loranger and six other attorneys in the Plaintiffs’ Management Committee were able to secure a $265 million settlement for victims of the 2015 Amtrak 188 derailment in Philadelphia, one of the largest in the U.S. for 2016.
