Ziploc Lawsuit: The Microplastics Case Was Dismissed — There Is No Settlement
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The Ziploc lawsuit most people are searching for is the 2025 Ziploc class action lawsuit claiming that “Microwave Safe” and “Freezer” bags and containers shed microplastics into food. It was dismissed with prejudice in August 2025. A separate suit by the City of Philadelphia attacks Ziploc’s recycling labels, but it is a government case, not a consumer class action. As of October 2026 there is no Ziploc settlement, no claim form, no deadline and no payment.
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Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
What the Microplastics Lawsuit Claimed
On April 25, 2025, a California consumer sued S.C. Johnson & Son, which has owned the Ziploc brand since 1998. The 51-page complaint alleged that Ziploc bags and containers are marketed as “Microwave Safe” and suitable for the “Freezer,” but are made of polyethylene and polypropylene that release microplastics when microwaved or frozen.
The lawsuit alleged there was no warning or disclosure on the packaging, and that buyers would have paid less, or not bought at all, had they known. Named products included Ziploc Freezer Bags (pint, quart and gallon), Slider Freezer and Slider Storage Bags, and Ziploc Containers. The claims were false advertising, unjust enrichment and violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act.
S.C. Johnson said it believes “Ziploc products are safe when used as directed and the claims in this lawsuit are without merit.” For context, the FDA has stated there are no known human health risks from microplastics detected in food. No court ever found the allegations true.
Case Details
The case was Cheslow v. S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., No. 3:25-cv-03655, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division. S.C. Johnson moved to dismiss. On August 25, 2025, Mealey’s reported that a federal judge in San Francisco had entered an order dismissing the plaintiff’s claims with prejudice, under the headline that the suit was “voluntarily dismissed.”
The second matter is different in kind. On September 24, 2025, the City of Philadelphia sued S.C. Johnson and Bimbo Bakeries in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. It alleges the chasing-arrows symbol and store drop-off instructions mislead people into thinking Ziploc bags get recycled. It is the first case under the city’s new consumer protection ordinance.
Status: Dismissed, No Settlement
The Philadelphia recycling suit seeks monetary damages for the city, a declaration that the marketing is unlawful, and an order to revise the labels. As of October 2025, S.C. Johnson had not yet filed a response. We found no later ruling or settlement. Either way, it is a city enforcement case: individual shoppers are not class members and do not file claims in it.
Who Was in the Proposed Class
The microplastics complaint sought to represent all U.S. residents who bought the listed Ziploc products for purposes other than resale within the statute of limitations, plus a California subclass. That class was only proposed. The reports describe no class certification before the case was dismissed.
Practically: if you bought Ziploc bags or containers, you are not owed anything and there is nothing to register for. You do not need receipts. If a real Ziploc class action settlement ever happens, a court-appointed administrator publishes a notice and runs an official website. You would not learn about it from an ad asking for your bank details.
Is Anyone Getting Paid?
Pages advertising “Ziploc lawsuit payouts” or a filing guide are describing money that does not exist. Similar microplastics suits target other brands. The EcoWatch report notes one against Newell Brands over Rubbermaid containers. These cases have so far produced headlines, not payments.
How cases like this one end
Our copy of the federal courts’ own case database covers 24,037 other fraud casesclosed in U.S. federal district courts between 2015 and 2025, 27.4% of them filed as class actions:
- 17.3% ended in a settlement recorded by the court. Another 22.5% were dismissed voluntarily, which often follows a private settlement — so the real settlement share sits between 17.3% and 39.8%.
- 10.4% were decided on a motion before any trial.
- 1 in 111 reached a trial (0.9%), after a median of 30 months.
- Median time from filing to the end of the case: 7 months.
- Only 735 of them (3.1%) record a money award at all; the median of those is $663,000.
These are base rates for this type of case (federal other fraud cases) — not a prediction about this lawsuit, and not legal advice. Source: Federal Judicial Center, Integrated Database (civil), analysed by Settlement Insight. Cases heard in state courts are not included.
Ziploc Lawsuit Timeline
- 1
1998 — S.C. Johnson Acquires Ziploc
S.C. Johnson buys the brand from DowBrands. It is the defendant in every case on this page.
- 2
April 25, 2025 — Microplastics Class Action Filed
Cheslow v. S.C. Johnson & Son (3:25-cv-03655) is filed in federal court in San Francisco. It alleges that Ziploc bags marked Microwave Safe and Freezer shed microplastics.
- 3
August 2025 — Dismissed With Prejudice
S.C. Johnson filed a motion to dismiss. Mealey’s reported on August 25, 2025 that a federal judge entered an order dismissing the plaintiff’s claims with prejudice, under a headline calling it a voluntary dismissal. We found no report of a settlement.
- 4
September 24, 2025 — Philadelphia Sues Over Recycling Labels
The city sues S.C. Johnson and Bimbo Bakeries in the Court of Common Pleas over the chasing-arrows symbol on plastic bags.
- 5
October 2025 — No Response Yet
Reports note that neither company had yet filed a response in the Philadelphia case.
- 6
October 2026 — Nothing to Claim
No Ziploc settlement, fund, claim form or deadline exists. The consumer class action ended without payment.
Three Things to Watch For
A well-known brand plus a viral microplastics headline is exactly what fake claim pages look for:
“Ziploc lawsuit 2026 payouts” pages
Some sites promise payout amounts and a “how to file” guide for a Ziploc settlement. None exists. A page that asks for your name, address and purchase history is usually generating leads for advertisers, not filing a claim.
Emails saying you are owed money for Ziploc bags
The microplastics case was dismissed and we found no settlement, so no administrator is sending notices. Any message asking for a processing fee, bank login or Social Security number to release Ziploc money is fake.
“Join the Ziploc microplastics case” sign-ups
That case is closed. A form presented as registration may actually be a retainer agreement for a new or different lawsuit. Read it as a contract before you sign.
Ziploc Lawsuit — Questions People Actually Ask
Is there a Ziploc class action settlement?
No. As of October 2026 there is no Ziploc settlement, no claim form and no deadline. The 2025 microplastics class action was dismissed with prejudice in August 2025, and we found no report of a settlement.
What was the Ziploc class action lawsuit about?
It alleged that Ziploc bags and containers labeled “Microwave Safe” and “Freezer” release microplastics when microwaved or frozen, and that S.C. Johnson failed to warn buyers. S.C. Johnson called the claims without merit.
Was the Ziploc lawsuit dismissed?
Yes. Cheslow v. S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., No. 3:25-cv-03655 (N.D. Cal.), ended in an order dismissing the plaintiff’s claims with prejudice, reported on August 25, 2025. The report’s headline describes it as a voluntary dismissal.
Did a court rule that Ziploc bags are unsafe?
No. The case ended without any finding about microplastics. The allegations were never tested at trial.
What is the Philadelphia Ziploc lawsuit?
On September 24, 2025, the City of Philadelphia sued S.C. Johnson and Bimbo Bakeries in the Court of Common Pleas. It alleges their recycling symbols mislead people into thinking plastic bags are recycled. The complaint cites a 2018 statement that just 0.2% of Ziploc bags are collected for recycling. It is a city enforcement case, so consumers cannot file claims in it.
I bought Ziploc bags — do I need to do anything?
No. There is nothing to sign up for and no money to claim. If a real settlement ever arises, a court-appointed administrator publishes official notice.
Are other brands facing microplastics lawsuits?
Yes. A similar suit against Newell Brands alleges that Rubbermaid containers marketed as microwave and freezer safe shed microplastics. Filing a suit is not proof, and none of these cases has produced a consumer payout that we could verify.
Should I stop microwaving food in plastic bags?
That is a personal choice, not a legal one. The FDA has said there are no known health risks from microplastics detected in food. Anyone who wants to reduce exposure can reheat food in glass or ceramic dishes, which costs nothing and does not depend on any lawsuit.
Separate from this case: were you injured in the last 2 years?
Class-action payouts are fixed amounts through an administrator. A personal injury claim is a different case — and often worth far more. Free estimate, no obligation.
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