Class Action Against S.C. Johnson & Sons, Limited and S.C. Johnson & Son Inc.

On May 26, 2025, our firm filed an Application to be authorized to bring a class action against S.C. Johnson et Fils, Limitée and S.C. Johnson & Son Inc (hereinafter “S.C. Johnson”), which manufactures, distributes and markets Ziploc brand plastic bags and containers. The purpose of this application is to obtain a price reduction for all consumers who have purchased Ziploc brand plastic bags and containers from S.C. Johnson’s various sales outlets.

Our client’s story

For several years, our customer has been buying and purchasing Ziploc brand plastic bags and containers from a number of big-box stores, which she uses regularly to store various meats in the freezer;

On May 16, 2025, our customer joins a friend in a park for a picnic-type activity, where each of them has brought food to share;

Our customer then takes out of her bag a number of foodstuffs contained in freezer bags purchased by her, which were suitable for transporting foodstuffs due to their size and safe appearance for this purpose;

Her friend then informed her that several studies had been published to the effect that this type of product released substances harmful to health when used for freezing or microwaving;

Concerned by these statements, our customer returned home, did further research and realized that Ziploc brand plastic bags are indeed made from polyethylene and polypropylene, which release microplastics during microwave cooking and freezing, and whose ingestion presents serious health risks.

The proposed class action

Under the Consumer Protection Act, a merchant who markets products must provide consumers with complete, precise and unequivocal information on the characteristics, uses and limitations of these goods, right from the first reading of the packaging or advertising representations.

For several years now, S.C. Johnson has been marketing its Ziploc bags with claims such as “microwave-safe”, “freezer-safe”, “BPA-free” and “dishwasher-safe”, leading consumers to believe that their use in these contexts is entirely safe, and likely misleading them. Indeed, scientific studies show that these products, when exposed to extreme cold or heat, can release microplastics and other substances potentially harmful to human health.

As a result of S.C. Johnson’s lack of transparency, our firm’s proposed class action alleges that consumers have been misled by false or misleading representations regarding product safety.

We estimate that this prohibited practice has affected several thousand, if not several hundred thousand, consumers in Quebec.

On behalf of our representatives and all injured members, we are claiming damages and punitive damages to sanction S.C. Johnson’s negligent, reckless and deceptive behaviour. 

The Proposed Class

This class action concerns all individuals residing in Quebec who purchased Ziploc brand plastic bags and containers marked “microwave-safe”, “freezer-safe” or “dishwasher-safe”.

Applications lodged with the Court

Application to be authorized to bring a class action (French)

Current status of the file

Awaiting authorization by a judge of the Superior Court.

How to be part of the class action

If you fall within the definition of the class covered by this class action, you are automatically part of the class action.