By Jonathan Stempel
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A new lawsuit on Monday alleged that condoms made by Trojan Inc. are unsafe because they contain “permanent toxic chemicals” linked to cancer.
In a proposed class action lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan, plaintiff Matthew Goodman said: Church and Dwight The company’s (NYSE:) products, which are advertised as “America’s #1 condom,” are not fit for purpose because they contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
Goodman said independent lab tests on Trojan Ultra Thin condoms he bought from a Manhattan drugstore found the presence of organofluorine, which is “virtually nonexistent” outside of its use in man-made PFAS chemicals.
“Based on the label, he reasonably believed the product was safe for use on his genitals,” the complaint said, referring to Goodman.
“Had the defendant disclosed on the label that the products contained PFAS chemicals, and the harm that can result from contact with these chemicals, he would not have purchased the products, or at the very least, he would have been willing to pay significantly less,” the court added.
The complaint seeks damages of at least $5 million from Church & Dwight, based in Ewing, New Jersey, to purchasers of Trojan condoms across the country.
Church & Dwight did not immediately respond to requests for comment after market hours. Attorneys for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to similar requests.
In July, consumer advocacy blog Mamavation said tests of 29 popular condoms and lubricants found several contained potential PFAS, including Trojan Ultra Thin condoms.
PFAS compounds are found in hundreds of consumer and commercial products including cosmetics, nonstick pans, and stain-resistant clothing.
They have become known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the human body or the environment.
PFAS have been linked to negative health effects including high cholesterol, low birth weight, decreased antibody response to vaccines, and kidney and testicular cancer.
The case is Goodman v. Church & Dwight, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 24-06813.
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