The Supreme Court announced Monday it would take up a legal battle over whether Whole Foods must be part of a case against one of its products, which claimants say caused autism in their son.
A Texas couple sued Hain Celestial Group, which produced Earth’s Best organic baby food, and Whole Foods, which sells the product, after a congressional report found the baby food contained a percentage of metals.
The litigation, which went on for two years, ended up going from state court in Texas to federal court, where Whole Foods was eventually dismissed from the case.
The trial court ruled against the couple, reasoning they could not establish that the metals in the food caused the autism symptoms.
The couple appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed the dispute and sent it back to the lower court over the initial dismissal of Whole Foods.
Hain Celestial Group petitioned the Supreme Court to undo the 5th Circuit ruling.
The case is Hain Celestial Group, Whole Foods Market v. Sarah Palmquist, individual and as next friend of E.P., a minor.
It took four justices to vote in favor of hearing the dispute, which will focus on procedural arguments and the removal from state court to federal court over claims related to product liability and tort actions.
