<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><i xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Class action cites l...

<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><i xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Class action cites lab testing revealing high levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic in popular protein powder brand</i></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Consumers filed a <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hbsslaw.com%2Fcases%2Fcostco-orgain-protein-powder-heavy-metal-contamination&amp;esheet=54566439&amp;newsitemid=20260707925587&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=class-action+lawsuit+against+Costco&amp;index=189&amp;md5=c6ed2d77f37e2288d56b1adf50a0169f" shape="rect">class-action lawsuit against Costco</a> Wholesale Corporation accusing the retailer of selling Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder products it knew were contaminated with toxic heavy metals, without disclosing the risk, according to Hagens Berman.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on July 7, 2026, and states that despite Costco marketing the affected protein powder as "high quality, clean, and nutritious," reports and independent laboratory testing reveal the products are contaminated with toxic heavy metals, including lead, cadmium and arsenic, at levels unsafe for human consumption.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hbsslaw.com%2Fcases%2Fcostco-orgain-protein-powder-heavy-metal-contamination&amp;esheet=54566439&amp;newsitemid=20260707925587&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=If+you+purchased+Orgain+protein+powder+from+Costco%2C+find+out+more+about+the+lawsuit+and+your+consumer+rights.&amp;index=190&amp;md5=1c89aa586756f893e3eb3d74eba91d20" shape="rect">If you purchased Orgain protein powder from Costco, find out more about the lawsuit and your consumer rights.</a></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignl">"Many consumers who buy and use protein powder do so routinely as part of a continuing focus on their fitness and health," said Steve Berman, managing partner and co-founder of Hagens Berman. "These same health-conscious consumers have unknowingly ingested alarming levels of toxic heavy metals – lead, cadmium and arsenic – again and again, trusting that Costco’s quality assurance would not allow something like this to happen."</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignl">&#34;Consumers nationwide trust Costco. Based on our investigation and product testing, we believe Costco knew or should have known that its Orgain protein powder failed to live up to its promises of safety and quality,&#34; Berman added.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignl">Testing by The Clean Label Project, Consumer Reports and independent laboratory testing found detectable levels of heavy metals in Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powders. Results show that Costco sold affected Orgain products with undisclosed lead levels as high as 67 ppb, exceeding recognized safety thresholds by more than 600%. Cadmium levels in affected products tested as high as 70.3 ppb, and arsenic levels as high as 19.8 ppb.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignl">According to the World Health Organization, there are no known safe levels of exposure to heavy metals. They accumulate in the body over time, meaning even low-level exposure can be hazardous, and health effects may not appear until years after exposure. Heavy metals have been linked to various cancers, reproductive problems, nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal issues and immune system dysfunction.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignl"><b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">What Costco Allegedly Knew</b></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignl">All of this, attorneys allege, constitutes information that consumers deserved to know before buying Orgain protein powder.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignl">"As a major national retailer with sophisticated supply-chain management and quality control processes, Costco knew or should have known about the heavy metals in the Contaminated Products it sells, including the Contaminated Products," the lawsuit states. "Despite this knowledge, or constructive knowledge, Costco continued to sell the Contaminated Products without any warning or disclosure to consumers regarding the presence or material risk of heavy metals in the Contaminated Products."</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignl">The lawsuit accuses Costco of misrepresenting its products pointing to language like "quality ingredients, higher standards," "good, clean fuel" and "delivering clean nutrition" on its website product pages.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignl">The lawsuit states that Costco sought to capitalize on health-conscious consumers, charging a premium based on the perceived nutritional and health qualities of its product. Orgain products are sold for $.79 to $.80 per oz., while comparable protein powder products with non-detectable levels of heavy metals are available at prices as low as $.42 per oz. according to the lawsuit.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The proposed class action brings claims of fraudulent concealment, unfair trade practices, deceptive trade and violations of numerous state consumer protection laws and seeks punitive damages on behalf of consumers for Costco’s allegedly "deceptive and unfair conduct." Attorneys also seek injunctive relief requiring Costco to stop selling affected Orgain organic protein powder without adequately disclosing the presence of toxic heavy metals.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hbsslaw.com%2Fcases%2Fcostco-orgain-protein-powder-heavy-metal-contamination&amp;esheet=54566439&amp;newsitemid=20260707925587&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Find+out+more+about+the+lawsuit+against+Costco+related+to+allegations+of+heavy+metals+in+Orgain+protein+powder+products.&amp;index=191&amp;md5=73f8cbea9507de1ee28f1508f588852a" shape="rect">Find out more about the lawsuit against Costco related to allegations of heavy metals in Orgain protein powder products.</a></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hbsslaw.com%2F&amp;esheet=54566439&amp;newsitemid=20260707925587&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=About+Hagens+Berman&amp;index=192&amp;md5=dc4397f5bab0a8fd3da6f3247be46450" shape="rect"><b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">About Hagens Berman</b></a></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs&#39; rights complex litigation law firm with a tenacious drive for achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. Since its founding in 1993, the firm&#39;s determination has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of &#34;Most Feared Plaintiff&#39;s Firm,&#34; MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Attorney advertising.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" alt="" src="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&amp;sty=20260707925587r1&amp;sid=benz2&amp;distro=nx&amp;lang=en" style="width:0;height:0"></img><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwct31415"></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink"><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-phrase">View source version on businesswire.com: </span><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-link"><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260707925587/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260707925587/en/</a></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwalignl"><b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Media Contact</b><br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>Ash Klann<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:pr@hbsslaw.com" shape="rect">pr@hbsslaw.com</a><br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>206-268-9363</p>

COST

Hagens Berman: Consumer Lawsuit Against Costco Alleges Toxic Heavy Metals in Orgain Protein Supplements

Costco faces class-action over Orgain heavy-metal protein powder contamination

<section class="insight" data-version="1">
  <section data-block="information">
    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;i xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Class action cites l...</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>Costco faces a class-action alleging its Orgain Organic Protein Powder products contain undisclosed heavy metals. Tests reportedly show lead, cadmium, and arsenic levels exceeding safety thresholds, potentially triggering recalls or settlements. The case could raise near-term legal costs and affect consumer trust and COST&#039;s brand risk.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>Lawsuit claims Costco sold Orgain powder with undisclosed heavy metals.</li><li>Lead up to 67 ppb, cadmium 70.3 ppb, arsenic 19.8 ppb.</li><li>Filed July 7, 2026, in Western District of Washington.</li><li>Alleges deceptive marketing: &#039;high quality, clean, nutritious&#039; claims.</li><li>Orgain price at Costco: about $0.79–$0.80 per oz.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)</strong>: Subject of the lawsuit; potential impact on brand, costs, and consumer perception.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Legal</h3>
    <p>Category: Legal; fits due to a consumer-protection class-action against Costco tied to Orgain products and potential financial implications.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>Legal risk from heavy-metal lawsuit could drive short-term price moves.</li><li>Potential recalls or settlements could impact gross margins and earnings.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>Filing date: July 7, 2026 (Western District of Washington).</li><li>Lead up to 67 ppb detected.</li><li>Cadmium up to 70.3 ppb detected.</li><li>Arsenic up to 19.8 ppb detected.</li><li>Orgain price at Costco: $0.79–$0.80 per oz.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>Near-term downside risk for COST if costs rise; monitor settlement trajectory over weeks to quarters.</p>
  </section>
</section>


<article>
  <header>
    <h1>Hagens Berman: Consumer Lawsuit Against Costco Alleges Toxic Heavy Metals in Orgain Protein Supplements</h1>
  </header>

  <section aria-labelledby="overview">
    <h2 id="overview">Overview of the Class-Action Filing Against COST</h2>
    <p>
      A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Costco Wholesale Corporation (<strong>COST</strong>) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The plaintiffs allege Costco sold Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder products that were contaminated with toxic heavy metals, without disclosing the risk to consumers. The filing highlights that independent testing and reported findings indicate dangerous levels of heavy metals in the products.
    </p>
    <p>
      The suit claims Costco marketed the affected Orgain powder as <em>“high quality, clean, and nutritious,”</em> yet testing revealed contamination with lead, cadmium and arsenic at unsafe levels for human consumption. The filing was submitted on July 7, 2026, and accuses Costco of misrepresentation and failure to warn customers about the presence of heavy metals.
    </p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="claims-and-evidence">
    <h2 id="claims-and-evidence">Claims, Testing, and Reported Levels</h2>
    <p>
      The lawsuit cites testing by independent laboratories and consumer testing groups to support its claims. Specifically, results show that Costco sold affected Orgain products with undisclosed lead levels as high as <strong>67 ppb</strong>, exceeding recognized safety thresholds by more than <strong>600%</strong>. Cadmium levels in affected products tested as high as <strong>70.3 ppb</strong>, and arsenic levels as high as <strong>19.8 ppb</strong>.
    </p>
    <p>
      The World Health Organization has noted that there are no known safe levels of exposure to heavy metals, and these substances can accumulate in the body over time. Health effects may not appear until years after exposure. Heavy metals have been linked to various cancers, reproductive problems, nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal issues and immune system dysfunction.
    </p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="costco-allegations">
    <h2 id="costco-allegations">What Costco Allegedly Knew</h2>
    <p>
      All of this, attorneys allege, constitutes information that consumers deserved to know before buying Orgain protein powder.
    </p>
    <p>
      "As a major national retailer with sophisticated supply-chain management and quality control processes, Costco knew or should have known about the heavy metals in the Contaminated Products it sells, including the Contaminated Products," the lawsuit states. "Despite this knowledge, or constructive knowledge, Costco continued to sell the Contaminated Products without any warning or disclosure to consumers regarding the presence or material risk of heavy metals in the Contaminated Products."
    </p>
    <p>
      The filing also accuses Costco of misrepresenting its products by referencing language such as "quality ingredients, higher standards," "good, clean fuel" and "delivering clean nutrition" on its website product pages. The suit argues Costco sought to capitalize on health-conscious consumers by charging a premium for Orgain, noting that Orgain products are sold for <strong>$.79</strong> to <strong>$.80</strong> per oz., while comparable protein powders with non-detectable levels of heavy metals are available at prices as low as <strong>$.42</strong> per oz.
    </p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="legal-claims">
    <h2 id="legal-claims">Legal Claims and Requested Relief</h2>
    <p>
      The proposed class action brings claims of fraudulent concealment, unfair trade practices, deceptive trade and violations of numerous state consumer protection laws and seeks punitive damages on behalf of consumers for Costco’s allegedly <em>"deceptive and unfair conduct."</em>
    </p>
    <p>
      Attorneys also seek injunctive relief requiring Costco to stop selling affected Orgain organic protein powder without adequately disclosing the presence of toxic heavy metals.
    </p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="consumer-rights">
    <h2 id="consumer-rights">Consumer Rights and Next Steps</h2>
    <p>
      If you purchased Orgain protein powder from Costco, you can find out more about the lawsuit and your consumer rights.
    </p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="quotes">
    <h2 id="quotes">Key Perspectives From the Plaintiffs’ Counsel</h2>
    <p class="quote">
      "Many consumers who buy and use protein powder do so routinely as part of a continuing focus on their fitness and health," said Steve Berman, managing partner and co-founder of Hagens Berman. "These same health-conscious consumers have unknowingly ingested alarming levels of toxic heavy metals – lead, cadmium and arsenic – again and again, trusting that Costco’s quality assurance would not allow something like this to happen."
    </p>
    <p class="quote">
      "Consumers nationwide trust Costco. Based on our investigation and product testing, we believe Costco knew or should have known that its Orgain protein powder failed to live up to its promises of safety and quality," Berman added.
    </p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="pricing">
    <h2 id="pricing">Pricing Context and Market Position</h2>
    <p>
      The lawsuit notes a pricing gap between Orgain and alternative powders. Orgain products are positioned at a premium relative to some competitors, with the per-ounce price noted above.
    </p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="about-hagens">
    <h2 id="about-hagens">About Hagens Berman</h2>
    <p>
      Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm with a tenacious drive for achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. Since its founding in 1993, the firm’s determination has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of "Most Feared Plaintiff's Firm," MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
    </p>
    <p>Attorney advertising.</p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="source-notes">
    <h2 id="source-notes">Additional Notes</h2>
    <p>
      View related materials and the full release on Business Wire for context and ongoing updates.
    </p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="facts-bullet">
    <h2 id="facts-bullet">Key Facts at a Glance</h2>
    <ul>
      <li><strong>Filing date and venue:</strong> July 7, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.</li>
      <li><strong>Defendant:</strong> Costco Wholesale Corporation (<strong>COST</strong>).</li>
      <li><strong>Product under scrutiny:</strong> Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder.</li>
      <li><strong>Contaminants cited:</strong> lead, cadmium and arsenic.</li>
      <li><strong>Reported heavy-metal levels:</strong> lead up to <strong>67 ppb</strong>, cadmium up to <strong>70.3 ppb</strong>, arsenic up to <strong>19.8 ppb</strong>.</li>
      <li><strong>Pricing reference:</strong> Orgain sold for <strong>$.79</strong> to <strong>$.80</strong> per oz.; competitors offer powders with non-detectable heavy metals as low as <strong>$.42</strong> per oz.</li>
      <li><strong>Relief sought:</strong> punitive damages and injunctive relief; claims include fraudulent concealment, unfair trade practices and deceptive trade violations.</li>
      <li><strong>Health context:</strong> World Health Organization indicates there are <em>no known safe levels</em> of exposure to heavy metals, which accumulate in the body over time.</li>
    </ul>
  </section>

  <footer aria-label="source-and-legal-disclaimer">
    <p>About the disclosure and consumer protections referenced in this article: attorney advertising. For more information, contact the law firm noted in the release and verify details with official court filings.</p>
  </footer>
</article>

Costco faces a class-action alleging its Orgain Organic Protein Powder products contain undisclosed heavy metals. Tests reportedly show lead, cadmium, and arsenic levels exceeding safety thresholds, potentially triggering recalls or settlements. The case could raise near-term legal costs and affect consumer trust and COST's brand risk.

Hagens Berman: Consumer Lawsuit Against Costco Alleges Toxic Heavy Metals in Orgain Protein Supplements

AI Summary

Sentiment Rationale

Trading Thesis

Market-Moving

Key Facts

Companies Mentioned

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