Driscoll's strawberries hit with accusations of pesticides and PFAS

Key Points:

• Driscoll’s, a major berry company, faces a class action lawsuit alleging its conventional strawberries contain PFAS, toxic "forever chemicals" linked to environmental harm, accusing the company of greenwashing and consumer fraud for not disclosing these chemicals.
• The lawsuit cites testing that found PFAS residues at levels banned in several countries and challenges Driscoll’s marketing of its berries as environmentally friendly and premium quality without revealing these contaminants.
• Driscoll’s denies the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to food safety and regulatory compliance, while a separate lawsuit by a former employee accuses the company of wrongful termination related to pesticide regulation violations.
• Environmental experts warn that PFAS chemicals persist in the environment for centuries, posing long-term risks, and California lawmakers are advancing legislation to phase out PFAS pesticide use in the state.
• The plaintiffs seek a jury trial and demand that Driscoll’s halt strawberry sales until PFAS are either removed or clearly disclosed on product packaging.