SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - Mediterranean food chain Cava Grill has joined the group of restaurants facing lawsuits over the presence of chemicals in its packaging.
Lawyers at Bursor & Fisher filed suit against CAVA Group on April 27 in San Diego federal court. The case is part of a growing trend of cases involving chemicals known as PFAS. They are found in firefighting foam and consumer products like non-stick cookware and have made their way into the bloodstreams of virtually every American.
PFAS lawsuits blame the chemicals for a variety of health problems, some of which were linked by a health study that was part of a settlement with DuPont. But others say the science on how PFAS affect the human body is incomplete.
Meanwhile, as the government still requires PFAS in its firefighting foam on military bases, lawyers pursue litigation like an Ohio class action that alleges no illnesses. Most PFAS cases are sent to a federal multidistrict litigation proceeding in South Carolina federal court.
Consumer class actions might stay where they are filed, however, because they allege violations of consumer protection statutes. The case against Cava Grill is similar to others against chains like Burger King and McDonald's and alleges Cava misled consumers with promises to rid its packaging of PFAS.
"Food... cannot be artificial," is one claim cited from in-store signage, as is "Cava Grill is evolved to be smarter, healthier, and more transparent."
Statements about Cava food being "better for your body" are also at issue in the suit.