For nearly two decades, Sprout Organics has been a trusted leader in the baby food industry. Owned by Neptune Wellness Solutions, the brand develops and markets a wide range of products from baby pouches to toddler snacks. Lawsuits filed across the nation allege products sold under the brand name Sprout Organics contain unsafe levels of toxic heavy metals. It is believed that exposure to these heavy metals during early childhood may cause neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and ADHD.
This page discusses why people are filing lawsuits involving Sprout Organic baby food, the requirements for eligibility in toxic baby food lawsuits, and how families may be able to obtain compensation. While this page focuses on lawsuits filed against Sprout Organics, several baby food manufacturers are also involved in broader litigation.
Sprout Organic Lawsuit – 2025 Updates
October 2, 2025: Multidistrict Litigation Against Major Baby Food Manufacturers Continues to Grow
The toxic baby food MDL being heard in the Northern District of California continues to grow with 225 pending actions. The coordinated litigation involves multiple baby food manufacturers, including Neptune Wellness, the owner of Sprout Organics. Attorneys with Wisner Baum represent over 8,000 families in litigation against baby food manufacturers for their failure to warn consumers about the dangers associated with consuming their products.
September 23, 2025: Sprout Organic Expands Voluntary Recall Due to Elevated Lead Levels
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, Sprout Organics is expanding the voluntary recall of its Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach due to potentially high lead levels. The expansion, announced on September 23, 2025, includes additional lots of its mixed vegetable and fruit 3.5 oz pouch. The affected pouches were sold at Walgreens, online, and through independent retailers. The FDA notes that childhood exposure to lead can affect development and potentially cause long-term health problems.
September 16, 2025: Sprout Organics Issues Voluntary Recall for Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach Pouches Due to Lead Levels
On September 16, Sprout Organics announced the voluntary recall of its Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach 3.5 oz pouch. The recall was initiated after elevated levels of lead were detected. Pouches with lot code 4212 and expiration date 10/29/2025 were affected. The recall comes as parents continue to wonder, “Is Sprout baby food safe?”
August 20, 2025: New Illinois Law to Require Baby Food Manufacturers to Test for Toxic Heavy Metals
A new Illinois law will require baby food manufacturers to test for toxic heavy metals beginning January 1, 2026. The law, Bill SB0073, will prohibit the sale of baby food that has heavy metal levels exceeding regulations set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Under the new law, baby food manufacturers like the maker of Sprout Organics will be required to publish testing data beginning on January 1, 2026.
August 5, 2025: Baby Food Lawsuit Continues to Move Forward Against Sprout Organics and Other Manufacturers
The toxic baby food MDL out of the Northern District of California continues to move forward. The litigation involves major baby food manufacturers, including Sprout Organics, who allegedly knew or should have known their products contained dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals and failed to warn consumers. Last year, Wisner Baum managing partner R. Brent Wisner was appointed co-lead trial counsel in the toxic baby food MDL. He will oversee the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee.
What is the Sprout Organic Baby Food Lawsuit?
The maker of Sprout Organic is accused of distributing baby food products that contain unsafe levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. Exposure to these heavy metals has been linked to serious developmental issues, such as autism and ADHD. It is alleged that major baby food manufacturers, like Sprout Organics, knew or should have known that their products contained dangerous levels of these metals and knew the risk of exposure, but failed to warn consumers of the harmful effects.
Over 200 lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation out of the Northern District of California. On April 5, 2024, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued an order to coordinate several lawsuits regarding toxic baby food into MDL 3101 - In re: Baby Food Products Liability Litigation. The MDL continues to grow.
2021 Congressional Report & Sprout
On February 4, 2021, the US House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy found that commercial baby food sold in the US is tainted with toxic heavy metals. As a result of reports that baby food products had unsafe levels of these toxins, the Subcommittee requested major manufacturers to submit internal testing data.
Sprout Organics (Sprout Foods, Inc.), one of the seven major baby food brands, refused to cooperate with the investigation. The Committee expressed fears that their lack of cooperation may be obscuring even higher levels of toxic heavy metals compared to their competitors.
On September 29, 2021, the Committee released New Disclosures on the levels of toxic heavy metals in baby food. According to the Committee’s findings, Sprout (which had by this point been purchased by Neptune Wellness) relied on ingredient suppliers to test for heavy metals only once per year, which appeared to be “the most reckless among baby food manufacturers.”
Why Sprout Organic Products Are Under Investigation
In 2021, a Congressional investigation was launched into the levels of toxic heavy metals in commercial baby food products throughout the US. Despite a request from Congress, Spout Food, Inc., which owned Sprout Organics at the time, refused to cooperate with the investigation. The Subcommittee expressed concern that their lack of cooperation may be obscuring even higher levels of heavy metals in their products compared to competitors who shared data.
In September 2021, new disclosures were released from the same subcommittee, indicating that Neptune Wellness now owned Sprout Organics and that the company relied on its ingredient suppliers to test for toxic heavy metals only once per year. The subcommittee noted that this was perhaps the most reckless practice among baby food manufacturers.
Toxic Heavy Metals Found in Sprout Organic Baby Food Products
A Healthy Baby Bright Futures Report found that 95% of baby food contained at least one heavy metal, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. Exposure to these metals, particularly in infants and toddlers, has been linked with developmental delays, neurological harm, and behavioral problems. According to the 2021 Congressional Report, these metals have also been associated with long-term brain damage, highlighting the need to ensure these products are safe.
Arsenic
In the 2021 Congressional Report, the Subcommittee noted that Arsenic was number one among substances in the environment that present the highest risk to human health. Arsenic exposure in young children has been linked with a serious negative impact on neurodevelopment, including lower IQ. It also has immunological effects and can impact the central nervous system.
The Healthy Baby Bright Futures report found that Sprout’s Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack - Apple Kale contained 107 ppb total arsenic and 47 ppb inorganic arsenic. While the FDA has not released final recommendations for arsenic levels in baby food products, Healthy Baby Bright Futures has noted that no measurable amount is safe.
Lead
As noted by the Subcommittee, even small levels of lead exposure can pose a health risk to humans, particularly infants and children. Lead can accumulate in the body and lead to learning disability and lower IQ. It has also been linked with an increased risk of ADHD.
In January 2025, the FDA issued final guidance on action levels for lead in baby food as part of its Closer to Zero initiative. Levels have been set at 10 parts per billion (ppb) for most foods and 20 ppb for single-ingredient root vegetables and dry infant cereals. Sprout Organics Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack - Apple Kale had 39.3 ppb lead when tested. The company also issued a recall for sweet potato apple and spinach pouches due to high lead concentration.
Cadmium
While the FDA has not yet announced final guidance for safe levels of cadmium in baby food, dangers of exposure have been well-documented. According to the Subcommittee, cadmium exposure in children has been linked to decreases in IQ and an increased risk of developing ADHD.
Products tested in the Healthy Babies Bright Futures study all had at least some measurable amount of cadmium. The Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack - Apple Kale had cadmium levels of 44.5 ppb.
Mercury
Higher blood mercury levels, as explained in the Congressional report, have been positively associated with autistic behaviors. Despite knowing its toxicity, the FDA has not set safety levels for mercury in baby food. As with the other heavy metals, mercury was detected in most Sprout Organic products tested in the Healthy Babies Bright Future report.
Sprout Organic Products Identified in the Lawsuit
Many people assume that when a product is labeled as organic it is safer than other food. Sprout Organics products were marketed as organic and safe for infants, but they contained unsafe levels of metals. Since, Sprout Foods, Inc. failed to provide information about its internal testing data to the Subcommittee lawmakers fear that the company may have been trying to obscure high levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury in its products.
According to a Healthy Babies Bright Future report Sprout Organics baby food products contained:
- Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack - Apple Kale
- Inorganic Arsenic: 47 ppb
- Organic Crispy Chews Red Fruit Beet & Berry with Crispy Brown Rice (Toddler Fruit Snack): 19.2 ppb total arsenic, measurable levels of lead, cadmium and mercury.
- Prunes Organic Baby Food (Stage 1, starting solids): 6.1 ppb lead, measurable levels of arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.
- Carrot Apple Mango Organic Baby Food (Stage 2, 6 months & up): 15.1 ppb cadmium, measurable levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury.
Which Sprout Organic Products Were Recalled?
In September 2025, Neptune Wellness recalled Sprout Organics Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach food pouches after testing showed elevated levels of lead. The original recall was expanded to include pouches sold in 28 states. The company did not specify the level of lead that was detected in the samples.
Sprout Organics Voluntary Recall of Baby Food Due to Elevated Lead Levels:
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- Product: Sprout Organics Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach 3.5 oz pouch.
- Best by dates: October 29, 2025, October 30, 2025, December 4, 2025, February 4, 2026.
- Lot codes: 4212, 4213, 4282, 4310
It is important to note that many Sprout Organics baby food products have not been the subject of recalls but may still contain unsafe levels of toxic heavy metals. Even without a recall, lawsuits may still be brought against the manufacturer for selling baby food that may contain toxic levels of heavy metals.
Do I Qualify for the Sprout Organic Baby Food Lawsuit?
In order to qualify for a Sprout Organic baby food lawsuit, families must meet certain criteria. The best way to determine eligibility is by consulting with an experienced toxic baby food lawyer as early in the process as possible.
It is important to maintain any evidence that may help to strengthen the claim, including proof of purchases, medical records, and academic records showing decline. Provide all relevant documents, including financial statements and receipts to the attorney to help substantiate the claim.
Sprout Organic MDL Process Explained
Over 200 toxic baby food cases have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation out of the Northern District of California. The MDL process helps to streamline the pre-trial process and allows each side to test out legal theories through carefully selected bellwether trials. These trials can also provide insight into the potential outcomes for all cases and may help to influence a settlement.
Complex litigation often takes years to resolve. Currently, individuals are still eligible to join the existing MDL, but they should act quickly to ensure timely filing. While these cases are grouped together for pre-trial purposes, each case remains individualized when it comes to compensation, allowing for plaintiffs to receive recovery based on the individual circumstances of their case.
Compensation Available in Sprout Organic Baby Food Lawsuits
Families who file successful claims against the maker of Sprout Organics baby food products may be eligible to receive compensation. Compensation in toxic baby food lawsuits may vary substantially depending on the individual circumstances of the case. Successful claimants may be entitled to receive both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages may include compensation for past and future medical bills, any special education costs, and lost wages. Non-economic damages may include compensation for any negative impact to the child’s quality of life and physical pain or emotional suffering caused by the child’s diagnosis.
How to File a Sprout Organic Baby Food Claim
Families who are interested in filing a claim against Sprout Organic baby food are encouraged to consult with an attorney immediately. Wisner Baum currently represents over 8,000 families in toxic baby food claims. It is important to note that families may only have a limited amount of time to take legal action against the manufacturer and should act as quickly as possible.
In addition to consulting with an attorney, affected families are encouraged to gather evidence to help support the claim. Evidence may include proof of purchase of Sprout Organics baby food, product labels or packaging, feeding logs, and medical records. An experienced attorney can help determine eligibility, file the claim, and provide guidance throughout the legal process. Contact a Sprout Organic Baby Food Lawsuit Attorney.
Wisner Baum is an industry leader when it comes to holding companies responsible for putting dangerous and defective products on the market. For decades, parents trusted major baby food brands like Sprout Organics to provide safe, healthy products for infants and children. Research now shows that these products were tainted with toxic heavy metals and may increase a child’s risk of developing autism, ADHD, or related disorders.
Families of children diagnosed with these conditions are encouraged to contact Wisner Baum to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Sprout Organic Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does Sprout Baby Food have heavy metals in it?
A Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF) report found that Sprout Organics baby food has levels of toxic heavy metals in it, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. Additionally, in September 2025, Neptune Wellness recalled multiple lots of Sprout Organic baby food pouches due to elevated levels of lead.
Q: Is it safe for my child to eat Sprout Baby Food?
Research from HBBF shows that 95% of commercial baby food contains unsafe levels of heavy metals, including Sprout Organic baby food. Exposure to heavy metals has been linked with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and ADHD. While ambient levels of heavy metals may be present due to their natural occurrence in nature, lawsuits allege that major baby food manufacturers failed to limit or reduce levels before allowing them to enter the market.
Q: Has there been a Sprout Baby Food recall?
In September 2025, Neptune Wellness issued a recall for multiple lots of Sprout Organics baby food products. The voluntary recall involved Sprout Organics Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach 3.5-ounce food pouches sold in 28 states and was the result of elevated lead levels detected during sampling.
Q: Does Sprout Baby Food cause autism or ADHD?
The cause of autism and ADHD in a child is likely multifaceted. A potential association has been established between heavy metal exposure at a young age and the disorders. Studies show that commercial baby food products contain unsafe levels of toxic heavy metals that may increase the risk for a child to develop one of these conditions.
Q: Is Sprout Baby Food safer because it is organic?
There is no evidence indicating that organic baby food is safer than conventional products. Both organic and non-organic baby food was shown to have concerning levels of heavy metals when tested.
Q: How do I know if I qualify for a Sprout Baby Food lawsuit?
The best way to determine whether eligibility requirements are met for a Sprout baby food lawsuit is by consulting with an experienced attorney. In general, a child must have consumed Sprout baby food products and been diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or another related condition.
Q: Do Sprout Baby Food pouches have lead in them?
Multiple lots of Sprout baby food pouches were recently recalled due to elevated levels of lead. It is unclear what the levels were that initiated the recall.
Q: How do I file a lawsuit against Sprout Organics?
The first step to filing a lawsuit against Sprout Organics is contacting an experienced attorney. An attorney can help determine eligibility and provide guidance on the best course of action.
Q: Was my child’s autism caused by Sprout Baby Food?
Many times, the exact cause of a child’s autism is unknown. However, research shows that exposure to heavy metals may increase a child’s risk of developing the condition.
Q: Is there a class action lawsuit against Sprout Organics?
Hundreds of cases against major baby food manufacturers were consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL). An MDL allows for a streamlined pre-trial process, while still affording claims to remain individualized for compensation purposes.
