Prof. Paul Vaaler and Prof. Prentiss Cox Quoted in Star Tribune About Class-Action Lawsuits Against General Mills

Professor Paul Vaaler,  John and Bruce Mooty Chair in Law and Business, and Professor Prentiss Cox were quoted in the Star Tribune about class-action lawsuits against General Mills, maker of Cocoa Puffs cereal, that state the product contains could contain high levels of lead. According to the suit filed in California, a one-cup serving of Cocoa Puffs contained just shy of the state’s maximum allowable limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead. General Mills had argued the company followed all laws and regulations and the suits failed to prove any harm. That same standard — failure to state a claim — will likely be the company’s defense in the Cocoa Puffs case. Regarding the lack of a claim, Prof. Vaaler said, “No one here is complaining of a brain injury. Worry is not enough.” Consumer advocates and competitors make frequent allegations against food companies every year, especially when it comes to labeling issues. Prof. Cox added that “Sometimes when people bring these lawsuits, they seem kind of trivial. If we’re talking about an under-disclosure of lead in cereal, especially cereal marketed to children, that’s problematic.”