Gerber (Nestlé), Hain Celestial (Earth’s Best), Nurture (HappyBABY), Plum, Sprout, and Walmart
Updated Jul 26, 2026
Baby Food Heavy Metals and Autism Lawsuits
Families allege heavy metals in several baby food brands contributed to autism or ADHD. Individual lawsuits continue without a settlement.
Key facts
- Claim deadline
- TBD
- Potential payment
- Payment varies
- Proof requirement
- TBD
- Status
- Upcoming
Eligibility
Who may qualify?
Check the covered dates, products, locations, and other official terms before you file.
- Your child must have been born on or after January 1, 2007.
- Your child must have consumed one of the named baby food brands for at least six months.
- Your child must have been diagnosed with autism before turning 14.
- You must have medical records showing who diagnosed your child, when, and the symptoms the diagnosis was based on.
- You must be able to prove which retailer you purchased the baby food from.
- Your child must not have been born before 37 weeks or weighed less than 5.5 lbs at birth.
- Your child must not have been involved in prior related litigation (such as the Tylenol-ADHD lawsuit).
Case overview
What this settlement is about
Parents across the country are suing major baby food companies because they believe dangerously high levels of heavy metals — lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury — in popular baby foods caused their children to develop autism or ADHD. The lawsuits have been combined into one large federal case (a multidistrict litigation) in the Northern District of California, and as of July 1, 2026 there were 473 cases pending, with new families still joining. The case is still in its early stages, meaning both sides are gathering evidence and filing motions, and no settlements have been reached yet. Because this is an active lawsuit and not a completed settlement, families do need proof to take part: you generally need medical records showing your child’s autism diagnosis and evidence (like receipts or packaging) that your child ate the named baby food brands for at least six months.
