Amazon is facing a lawsuit from two consumers who claim the company sold rice contaminated with toxic metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. According to the suit, filed in Seattle, the rice was sold with no warning to customers — even though the substances it contained are known to be harmful, especially for children.
The two people behind the lawsuit, Ashley Wright and Merriman Blum, say they bought several types of rice through Amazon. After learning about possible contamination, they were shocked — and angry. They say they would have never purchased these products, or would have paid much less, had they known what was really in them.
The Rice on Amazon That Sparked the Lawsuit
The lawsuit targets 18 rice products sold through Amazon, including brands like Ben’s Original and Whole Foods’ 365 — both popular with families across the country. The case refers to a study by Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, a nonprofit group focused on child health.
Researchers from the group tested 145 rice samples from stores across the U.S. Their findings were disturbing: every single sample had arsenic in it. Nearly 30% had arsenic levels higher than what the FDA recommends for infant rice cereal. They also found cadmium in nearly all the samples, and lead or mercury in more than a third.
Why This Is So Alarming
Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury aren’t just gross — they’re dangerous. Studies have linked long-term exposure to these metals to serious health problems, including developmental delays, lower IQ, attention issues, and even kidney and immune system damage.
This is especially troubling for parents. Many families buy rice as a daily food staple or baby’s first solid food. And while it’s impossible to avoid all toxins completely, parents have every right to expect that the food they buy — especially from a trusted platform like Amazon — is safe.
Amazon Hasn’t Said Anything Yet
Amazon hasn’t responded publicly to the lawsuit yet. But the plaintiffs are asking for at least $5 million in damages and say this is about more than just money — it’s about accountability.
This isn’t the first time a major company has faced backlash over heavy metals in food. In recent years, several baby food brands and even chocolate companies have been hit with similar lawsuits. Customers are starting to pay closer attention to what’s in their food — and they’re holding companies accountable when safety standards fall short.
Can You Trust What You Buy Online?
This case also raises bigger questions about shopping online. Amazon sells millions of products, including food, but not all of them come directly from Amazon itself. Some are from third-party sellers, and many shoppers don’t realize that.
So when a product turns out to be unsafe, who’s responsible? The seller? The brand? Or the platform that allowed it to be sold?
The lawsuit argues that Amazon should have done more to make sure the rice being sold on its site was safe. And if the claims are true, this could be a major moment for how online retailers handle food safety going forward.
Toxic Metals in Food: A Growing Concern
This lawsuit is part of a larger problem that scientists and parents have been talking about for years. Heavy metals have been found not just in rice, but also in baby food, fruit juices, and even snacks marketed as “healthy.”
In response, the FDA has released guidelines to limit the amount of lead in baby foods. But many of these limits are still voluntary — which means companies can technically sell products with high levels of toxic metals, as long as there’s no specific law stopping them.
That’s left many families wondering: if the government isn’t enforcing strict rules, who is?
What Happens Next?
It’s still early in the legal process, and it’s unclear how this case will play out. But the lawsuit has already sparked conversations about what’s in our food and how much we really know about what we’re buying — especially online.
For now, consumers are left with more questions than answers. And as this case unfolds, it may push companies like Amazon to take a closer look at what they’re selling — and what they’re not telling us.
