COLUMBUS, Ohio — Four Ohio parents have filed a federal lawsuit against makers of baby bottles, claiming the bottles were made from a harmful chemical that sparked congressional hearings and prompted the world’s largest retailer to phase out the products.
The complaint filed last week in U.S. District Court alleges the companies knew that a chemical known as bisphenol A, or BPA, was associated with health problems but didn’t disclose the risk. It cites scientific studies that conclude BPA seeps from bottles and sippy-cups into liquids.
The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, names five companies: Vandalia, Ohio- based Evenflo Co., Illinois- based Avent America Inc., Missouri-based Handicraft Co., Connecticut-based Playtex Products Inc., and Swiss company Gerber Novartis.
The plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount of damages. The companies declined or did not respond to requests for comments.
