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Cocoa Puffs, one of the most popular breakfast cereals for children, is accused of having dangerously high levels of lead in a pair of class-action lawsuits.<\/p>\n
The pair of suits, filed in Minnesota and California, are seeking over $5 million in damages for consumers who \u201cwould not have purchased and consumed [the cereal] had they known the truth about the products.\u201d<\/p>\n
General Mills<\/a> did not immediate reply to Fortune<\/em>\u2019s request for comment.<\/p>\n The California suit alleges a one-cup serving of the cereal contains just under the state\u2019s maximum limit of lead\u20140.5 micrograms. Most consumers, however, the suit notes, pour well beyond that amount when they opt for a bowl. The Minnesota suit alleges the company failed to \u201cdisclose that the products could poison the consumer.\u201d<\/p>\n The lawsuits follow a revelation in 2022 that many popular dark chocolates sold by popular brands including Hershey<\/a> and Trader Joe\u2019s often contain high levels of cadmium and lead<\/a>, which have been linked to health problems in both children and adults.<\/p>\n It also comes on the heels of a pair of class-action lawsuits against another popular General Mills cereal\u2014Cheerios\u2014which alleged that breakfast stable may contain high pesticide levels<\/a>. Both suits were dropped soon after it was filed, reports the Star<\/em> Tribune<\/em><\/a>. Food companies regularly face allegations about labeling issues.<\/p>\n What\u2019s noteworthy about this suit is the allegation that potentially dangerous lead levels are found in a product that is heavily marketed toward children. The Sonny the Cuckoo Bird mascot, who claims to be \u201ccuckoo for Cocoa Puffs<\/a>,\u201d has been a part of the brand since 1962.<\/p>\n The issue for plaintiffs is likely to be proving whether General Mills failed to follow any laws\u2014and to show whether harm has been done to consumers. The company used that argument in the Cheerios suits before they were voluntarily dismissed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nRecommended Newsletter: <\/strong>CEO Daily provides key context for the news leaders need to know from across the world of business. Every weekday morning, more than 125,000 readers trust CEO Daily for insights about\u2013and from inside\u2013the C-suite. Subscribe Now<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n