Campbell's Sued Over Microwavable Soup: Lawsuit Claims Containers Leach Microplastics When Heated

Campbell's is being sued over its microwavable soup products. A new class action lawsuit alleges the containers leach microplastics directly into the soup when heated.

The lawsuit, filed in California federal court by plaintiff Margaret Peggi Louise Garvey, claims Campbell's misleads customers by labeling and marketing its microwavable soups as safe to heat in the microwave. According to the 66-page complaint, the polypropylene plastic used in the containers and lids can release millions of microplastic particles when exposed to high heat — exactly the conditions created by following Campbell's own microwave instructions.

The complaint cites research linking microplastic exposure to hormonal disruption, reproductive issues, lung and liver damage, cardiovascular problems, and cancer. It also alleges Campbell's knew about the risks associated with polypropylene packaging but continued marketing the products as microwavable anyway.

"By falsely promising that the products are microwavable and omitting material information about their ability to shed microplastics under ordinary use, [Campbell's] has caused consumers to unknowingly expose themselves and their families to dangerous microplastics through everyday food preparation," the lawsuit alleges.

Who could be eligible

The lawsuit looks to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased Campbell's microwavable soup products, plus a California subclass. There's no settlement yet — this is a newly filed case, so eligibility and payouts will depend on how the lawsuit progresses.

What happens next

There's no deadline to file a claim because there's no settlement yet. The case is in its early stages and was filed on April 10, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

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