Amazon Sells Contaminated Rice: Toxic Metals Alleged in Lawsuit

Case Overview: A class action alleges Amazon sold rice contaminated with undisclosed heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, without warning customers.

Consumers Affected: U.S. consumers who purchased rice from Amazon.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Amazon is facing a new class action lawsuit accusing the company of selling rice products contaminated with dangerous heavy metals, without any warning to customers. 

The lawsuit, filed by two consumers in California, claims Amazon failed to disclose that certain rice sold through its platform contains arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury—substances known to cause serious long-term health issues, especially for children and pregnant people.

According to the complaint, these toxic elements were found in rice varieties sold through Amazon, including the Iberia Basmati 100% Aged Original rice. The plaintiffs argue that the retail giant’s failure to test for or disclose the presence of these substances misled customers into believing the products were safe.

Buyers Say Amazon Listings Lacked Warnings

Ashley Wright and Merriman Blum, who filed the lawsuit, say they bought the rice believing it was free of harmful contaminants. Wright, who shares the rice with her 12-year-old daughter, said she would not have purchased the product—or would have paid significantly less—had she known it contained heavy metals. Blum echoed the same concern.

Both plaintiffs say they relied on Amazon’s product listings and packaging, which made no mention of the potential risks. They now want full transparency before buying rice products again, and are seeking damages on behalf of themselves and other affected consumers.

Why Rice Raises Health Concerns for Amazon Shoppers

Rice is one of the most widely consumed foods in the world, and a staple in many households, including those with young children. But it's also a known source of arsenic exposure, according to public health researchers. 

Despite calls for regulation, there’s currently no federal limit on arsenic levels in regular rice, even though tests have shown contamination in nearly every variety sold in the U.S.

Experts say chronic exposure to heavy metals, especially during pregnancy or early childhood, can lead to developmental delays, IQ loss, and increased cancer risk. The risk is particularly pronounced for families who consume rice daily, including Hispanic, Latino, and Asian American households, the lawsuit claims.

Amazon Faces Growing Number of Legal Challenges Over Products

This lawsuit adds to a mounting pile of legal trouble for Amazon. Earlier this year, the company was hit with a complaint from former warehouse workers who say they weren’t paid for mandatory training sessions. 

Other lawsuits accuse Amazon of violating wage transparency laws, collecting employee biometric data without consent, and using misleading eco-labels to sell its own paper products.

The retail giant is also facing claims it inflated “list prices” on Fire TV products to fake discounts, misleading consumers into thinking they were getting a better deal than they actually were.

In their lawsuit against Amazon, Wright and Blum want to represent anyone in the U.S. who bought rice from the retail giant. They are suing for violations of the Washington Consumer Protection Act and Washington common law and are seeking injunctive and monetary relief, fees, costs, and interest.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Wright, et al. v. Amazon.com, Inc.
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00977
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Steve W. Berman and Meredith Simons (Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP)
• Rebecca A. Peterson (George Feldman McDonald, PLLC)

Do you buy rice from Amazon? What are your thoughts on these contamination allegations? Share your concerns below.