Costco class action alleges Kirkland fragrance-free baby wipes contain PFAS (2025)

FAQs

Costco class action alleges Kirkland fragrance-free baby wipes contain PFAS? ›

According to the complaint, the presence of PFAS in Kirkland baby wipes is “particularly alarming” given the sensitivity of babies' skin and that the area around a baby's genitals is “even thinner and more susceptible to exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.” The health risk to infants and babies using wipes ...

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit say Costco's Kirkland Signature fragrance-free baby wipes have dangerous amounts of PFAS, yet they have been advertised as being safe for kids. The product is marketed as made with naturally derived ingredients despite allegedly containing PFAS," according to the legal news website.

The payments are for consumers who purchased the wipes between July 1, 2011, and May 31, 2017, according to Top Class Actions. Costco has not admitted any wrongdoing, the legal news website states. However, the company has agreed to pay $2 million to "resolve the false advertising class action lawsuit."

However, plaintiffs allege that contrary to these claims, the baby wipes contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemicals. PFAS, even at low levels, is known to be toxic to humans, posing significant health risks, including cancer, immune suppression, thyroid disease, and reproductive harm.

Kirkland baby wipes

The Costco product is ultra-soft, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, with 99% naturally derived ingredients. Wet wipe manufacturer Nice-Pak, known for brands such as Nice 'N Clean, Grime Boss and Wet Nap, also supplies baby wipes under the Kirkland Signature label.

Personal care products like shampoo or floss and cosmetics like nail polish and eye makeup. Some grease-resistant paper, fast food containers or wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers. Stain-resistant coatings on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics. Water-resistant clothes.

Toilet paper from around the world contains low levels of PFAS, likely contributing these “forever chemicals” to wastewater.

Huggies Simply Clean Fragrance-Free Baby Wipes (704-Count), $17. Flaherty-Hewitt deems the Huggies Simply Clean Fragrance-Free Baby Wipes as “similar to Hello Bello and Kirkland,” much ado to its plant-based nature.

The recall is limited to specific lots of Cottonelle^® Flushable Wipes and Cottonelle^® GentlePlus Flushable Wipes manufactured between February 7, 2020 – September 14, 2020. Please check your lot number above to see if your product is included.

“Kirkland Signature Disinfecting Wipes are missed by many, coming to fruition during the height of COVID-19, but later, discontinued completely,” said Shenk. These disinfecting wipes were available in a fresh air or lemon scent.

Does Burt's Bees contain PFAS? ›

Diamond says the likely reason Burt's Bees products were flagged in the pre-screen is because they have hectorite and mica — a mineral and clay — which both contain fluorine. In a statement, Burt's Bees said it was not surprised by Marketplace's test results, as the company doesn't use PFAS in its products.

Costco is being sued after testing found that its fragrance-free baby wipes reportedly contain high levels of a harmful chemical. According to the class-action lawsuit filed in June against the company, Costco's Kirkland brand wipes allegedly contain “significant” levels of PFAS.

Such as non-stick frying pots, pans, baking sheets, waffle irons, air fryers, etc. Avoid cookware containing any type of PFAS, not just Teflon™, which is a proprietary PFAS coating made of PTFE that is used to create a non-stick surface on frying pans and other cookware.

According to Bullard and Corrigan, their counsel investigated Kirkland baby wipes independently through a U.S. Department of Defense laboratory and found unsafe levels of PFAS. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc.

The updated wipe has been enhanced to provide additional skin care benefits such as helping to moisturize skin and has been clinically tested to ensure the wipe could be used on babies with the most sensitive skin. Based on the clinical testing, the formula was given the National Eczema Association seal.

Nationally known companies like Starbucks, Duracell, and Reynolds produce an exclusive version for Costco that meets its strict standards for quality and price point. Costco's goal is to make Kirkland's products "equal or better quality than national brands" while striving for comparative savings of at least 20%.

More than 50% of the products tested contained high levels of PFAS. Researchers noted that brands including Essence, L'Oreal, Maybelline, Revlon and Wet 'n Wild were purchased at Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Target and Bed Bath & Beyond from 2016 to 2020.