Amazon is facing a proposed class action lawsuit filed in federal court on Friday, accusing the e-commerce giant of selling rice products contaminated with dangerous levels of arsenic and other heavy metals.
The lawsuit, brought by plaintiffs Ashley Wright and Merriman Blum in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, covers 18 rice products sold through Amazon’s platform.
These include well-known brands such as Ben’s Original, as well as products under the Whole Foods 365 label—owned by Amazon.
According to the complaint, Amazon marketed and sold the rice “with alarmingly high levels of heavy metals” without any warning to consumers.
The plaintiffs argue that this is particularly concerning given the products are often marketed toward families and children.
The legal action follows the release of a new study by nonprofit Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, which tested 145 rice samples purchased from across the US.
The study found that every sample contained arsenic, with 28% exceeding the FDA’s limit for infant rice cereal.
Cadmium was present in all but one sample, while lead and mercury were detected in over one-third of the samples tested.
The lawsuit cites health risks associated with exposure to heavy metals, including nervous system damage, immune suppression, kidney issues, and potential links to developmental disorders such as autism and ADHD in children.
Wright and Blum specifically referenced Iberia Basmati 100% Aged Original rice as one of the products they purchased, stating they would not have bought it, or would have paid less, had they known it was contaminated or untested.
The suit seeks at least $5 million in damages, citing violations of Washington state’s consumer protection laws.
Amazon, which is headquartered in Seattle, has not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit.
The case adds to a growing list of legal challenges against food and retail companies accused of selling products tainted with heavy metals, including recent lawsuits targeting baby food and dark chocolate manufacturers.
Case details: Wright et al v. Amazon.com Inc, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, No. 25-00977.
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