The pet-food recall that included more than 100 types and resulted in the death of more than a dozen cats or dogs has spawned the first class-action lawsuit against manufacturers, including Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble Co. P&G, which makes Iams and Eukanuba pet foods, was among those named as defendants in a lawsuit announced by a Miami law firm late Tuesday. Wet pet foods made by Iams and Eukanuba were among those recalled earlier this year after tainted pet food was linked to a third-party manufacturer, Menu Foods.
Investigators have said the problem comes from tainted wheat gluten imported from China.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on behalf of three cat and dog owners in Michigan and Florida, names 15 food companies and retailers as defendants, including Menu Foods, P&G and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
In a press release, the law firm said the companies have spent $300 million a year in marketing campaigns that misrepresent the contents of their pet foods.
An Iams spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.