Toxin Free USA Sues Target for Deceptive Marketing of Good & Gather Raisins
WASHINGTON, October 28, 2020 /3BL Media/ —GMO Free USA dba Toxin Free USA, a national nonprofit advocating for clean food, filed a consumer protection lawsuit against Target Corporation for the deceptive labeling and marketing of Good & Gather California Raisins. Lab tests revealed that samples of Target’s Good & Gather All Natural California Raisins contained unnatural pesticides. The nonprofit discovered eleven different fungicides and insecticides present in the raisins.
An increasing number of Americans are concerned about the effects of synthetic pesticides on their health and the environment. Parents are becoming especially concerned about the effects on their children, as there is scientific consensus that infants and children are more sensitive to these toxins. Toxin Free USA also alleges that Target uses cartoon animals on the packaging of Good & Gather Raisins to specifically appeal to parents and children.
In addition to the multiple synthetic fungicides found in the samples, the nonprofit discovered the raisins contained imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam, three neonicotinoid insecticides, also known as neonics. A groundbreaking 2019 study showed that imidacloprid is likely causing serious birth defects in white-tailed deer, linking harms to large mammals and potentially humans. A 2018 study indicates neonics may disrupt human hormonal systems.
Numerous studies implicate neonics as a danger to honeybees, wild pollinators and other beneficial insects, so much so that the European Union has fully banned open-air use of all three pesticides. Studies also show that neonics are a danger to birds and a contributing factor to the national decline of bird populations.
“As a mother, I’m appalled and saddened that Target chooses to mislead shoppers and puts our children at risk of consuming toxic pesticides. Big corporations like Target have the ability and buying power to make our food system safer and healthier and still turn a good profit, yet they choose to deceive instead. Americans are demanding better and it’s time for Target to deliver. We hope this lawsuit will stop their deception and nudge them in the right direction,” says Diana Reeves, executive director of Toxin Free USA.
The Target Corporation suit, filed under the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act by the nonprofit’s counsel Richman Law Group, seeks to end Target’s deceptive business practices by requiring that Target qualify or remove the “natural” claims on its Good & Gather Raisin products.
Read the full complaint HERE.
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GMO Free USA/Toxin Free USA is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocating for a clean, healthy food system and educating consumers about the hazards of GMOs, synthetic pesticides and other toxins.
