A recent class action lawsuit claims Abbott Laboratories misleads parents by marketing its Go & Grow 360 Total Care toddler drinks as offering health benefits that the product doesn’t actually provide. Filed on Sept. 5 in a California federal court, the complaint, led by consumer Alana Gutierrez, accuses Abbott of violating both state and federal consumer protection laws.
The lawsuit alleges that Abbott falsely promotes its toddler drinks as beneficial for children’s health, even though they contain added sugars, which could be harmful to young children. According to Gutierrez, the drinks also violate U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations that prohibit nutrient content claims for products intended for children under the age of two.
Although Abbott’s marketing emphasizes benefits like “immune support” and “brain development,” the FDA warns against such claims, particularly for toddlers, due to insufficient scientific evidence supporting the necessity of these nutrients in the amounts promoted. The toddler drinks are aimed at children between 12 and 36 months, but the FDA maintains strict guidelines about nutrition claims for young children and remains cautious about unproven health benefits.
The lawsuit highlights how Abbott’s advertising capitalizes on parents’ desires to provide optimal nutrition for their children by using appealing claims like “28 essential nutrients.” Instead of promoting natural, wholesome foods for toddlers, Abbott’s labeling misleads parents into thinking its drinks provide all the necessary nutrition, Gutierrez asserts.
Furthermore, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against added sugars for children under two, yet the Go & Grow drink allegedly contains four grams of added sugars per serving. This adds to the concern that parents are unknowingly giving their children products that don’t align with expert recommendations.
The lawsuit seeks to represent California residents who purchased the product since 2021, accusing Abbott of violating California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and committing common law fraud. The plaintiffs are pursuing damages, fees, costs, and a jury trial.
This isn’t the first time Abbott has faced scrutiny. In 2023, a similar lawsuit targeted its PediaSure Grow and Gain products for false claims that they were “clinically proven to help kids grow.” Additionally, in October 2023, the AAP published a report declaring there are no nutritional benefits to toddler milk formulas marketed to children between 6 and 36 months of age.
Despite industry claims, toddler milk is not necessary for children. It’s marketed as a specialized product to supplement toddlers’ diets during their transition from breastmilk or infant formula to solid foods. These formulas are designed to contain vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin D, and iron, along with added prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health. However, pediatricians generally discourage their use, as these products are often more expensive, contain less protein, and more fat than cow’s milk. The thriving market for toddler milk is driven largely by marketing strategies and what critics call deceptive product design.
Abbott’s marketing practices raise critical questions about how such products are presented to parents and whether they truly serve the best interests of young children.
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