In re Pet Food Products Liability Litigation, Nos. 08-4741 and 08-4779; Third Circuit; opinion by Scirica, U.S.C.J.; partial dissent by Weis, U.S.C.J.; filed December 16, 2010. Before Judges Scirica, Chagares and Weis. On appeal from the District of New Jersey. [Sat below: Judge Hillman.] DDS No. 32-8-0497 [74 pp.]
This is an appeal from the approval of the settlement of a class-action lawsuit stemming from the largest pet food recall to date. The class action was brought on behalf of consumers in the United States and Canada who purchased, used or obtained, or whose pets consumed, wet pet food that was allegedly contaminated with melamine and cyanuric acid, the combination of which can lead to acute renal failure in small animals if ingested. Altogether, defendants recalled more than 60 million cans and pouches of pet food products.
