ARLINGTON, Va. – The Consumer Brands Association issued the following statement in response to the dismissal of the Martinez lawsuit by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from Stacy Papadopoulos, chief operating officer and general counsel:

“The dismissal of the Martinez lawsuit reinforces what Consumer Brands has said from the beginning: these claims are without merit. Twice, the court has rejected plaintiffs’ efforts to impose liability on an arbitrarily selected group of companies for the complex health outcomes alleged in this case.  The judge fully dismissed the case finding any further attempts to amend plaintiff’s claim would be futile.

America has one of the safest and most highly regulated food systems in the world, and the makers of America’s trusted household brands adhere to rigorous, science and risk-based safety standards established by the FDA while providing safe, affordable and convenient products consumers depend on every day. Baseless lawsuits like this only seek to enrich trial lawyers while diverting attention and resources away from the collaborative solutions needed to improve public health. Consumer Brands remains committed to working with policymakers, regulators and public health experts to advance comprehensive policies rooted in objective evidence-based science that keep food safe, affordable and accessible.”

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ABOUT THE CONSUMER BRANDS ASSOCIATION

The Consumer Brands Association champions the industry that makes the products you choose and the brands you trust. From household and personal care to food and beverage products, the consumer packaged goods industry plays a vital role in powering the U.S. economy, contributing $2.5 trillion to U.S. GDP and supporting 22.3 million American jobs.