California fruit giant Driscoll's hit by class-action lawsuit

Key Points:

• Driscoll’s, the world’s largest berry company, faces a consumer fraud class-action lawsuit alleging its strawberries contain harmful “forever chemicals” (PFAS) and multiple pesticide residues exceeding international safety limits.
• The lawsuit, filed by six consumers from various states, claims Driscoll’s misled buyers through marketing that portrayed the berries as safe and high-quality, while concealing contamination with persistent and toxic chemicals.
• A laboratory report found residues of 12 pesticides, including eight PFAS compounds, in Driscoll’s strawberries, substances known for environmental persistence and toxicity.
• The case builds on a whistleblower complaint from a former Driscoll’s food safety manager who alleges wrongful termination after raising concerns about illegal pesticide use and company efforts to prioritize profits over compliance.
• Driscoll’s denies the allegations, asserting the lawsuit is without merit and emphasizing its commitment to robust food safety and compliance programs.