Kimberly-Clark U by Kotex Lead Lawsuit, Were You Affected? — Foster v. Kimberly-Clark Corporation, No. 1:25-cv-09736

Kimberly-Clark is facing a new class action, Foster v. Kimberly-Clark Corporation, No. 1:25-cv-09736, over claims that its U by Kotex Click tampons contain lead the company never put on the label. If you’ve used them and trusted the box, you weren’t imagining anything. Here’s what the lawsuit says, who it covers, and what to do right now.

Kimberly-Clark U by Kotex Lawsuit — Key Facts

Detail	Information
Lawsuit Filed	August 14, 2025
Defendant	Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Alleged Harm	Undisclosed lead in U by Kotex Click tampons (Regular, Super, Super Plus)
Law Alleged	Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (815 ILCS 505/1), plus multi-state consumer protection statutes, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment
Who Is Affected	U.S. purchasers of U by Kotex Click tampons (nationwide, excluding California); Illinois Subclass; Multi-State Consumer Protection Class
Court & Case Number	U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, No. 1:25-cv-09736
Current Stage	Early litigation — complaint filed, no ruling on class certification
Lead Plaintiff Deadline	N/A — this is a consumer class action, not a securities case, so no PSLRA deadline applies
Settlement Status	No settlement. No claim form exists
Last Updated	July 7, 2026

Who Is Kimberly-Clark and Why Are They Being Sued for Lead in Tampons?

Kimberly-Clark is one of the largest tampon manufacturers in the country, and U by Kotex Click is one of its flagship compact lines. That size matters here. A product sold in the hundreds of thousands or millions of units, used internally, multiple times a day, is exactly the kind of product where an undisclosed ingredient reaches the most people the fastest. The lawsuit says Kimberly-Clark advertised the tampons as free of “harsh ingredients” and pesticides. It didn’t mention lead.

What Did Kimberly-Clark Do to Kotex Buyers Between 2024 and 2025?

Plaintiff Stephanie Foster, of Chicago, says she bought U by Kotex Click tampons at Target and CVS believing the label. Her attorneys commissioned independent lab testing in July 2024 and February 2025, using ICP-MS, the same method the FDA uses to test for heavy metals. The results, per the complaint, showed measurable lead in every size tested: 0.309 micrograms per Regular tampon, 0.376 for Super, and 0.457 for Super Plus.

That’s the actual number from the court filing — and it’s worth noting, since some secondary write-ups have cited a different figure. This lawsuit isn’t the first to raise the issue, either. Procter & Gamble is fighting a nearly identical set of claims over lead in Tampax Pearl tampons, in cases moving through California, Ohio, and Illinois courts at the same time.

The complaint leans on a specific mechanic: tampons are used vaginally, not swallowed. That means no first-pass filtering through the liver. Kimberly-Clark’s own site told users to “never go longer than 8 hours (preferably 4-8) without changing” a tampon — which the lawsuit uses to argue most people use three to six a day, not one.

That’s not a rounding error. Someone using six Super Plus tampons in a day, per the lawsuit’s own math, is exposed to roughly 2.742 micrograms of lead from that use alone. And the complaint’s lab also tested organic-cotton competitors — Tampax Pure and L. brand — and found lead below the detection limit in both.

Related article: U.S. Department of Education Group Discharge Lawsuit, Does This Affect You? Project on Predatory Student Lending v. U.S. Department of Education, No. 1:26-cv-13040

Are You Part of the Kimberly-Clark Kotex Lawsuit?

Here’s exactly how to know if this case includes you.

• Anyone who bought U by Kotex Click Regular, Super, or Super Plus tampons for personal use, within the applicable state statute of limitations
• Illinois residents who bought the products within the past three years qualify separately for the Illinois Subclass
• Residents of D.C., Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Washington fall under a Multi-State Consumer Protection Class
• Those claiming a personal physical injury from the lead exposure are excluded — this case covers economic harm (money spent on a misrepresented product), not injury claims

You do not qualify if you only ever bought the organic-cotton U by Kotex line, since the complaint targets the Click compact line specifically.

Kotex Buyers Outside the Named States — Are You Still Covered?

Yes. The Nationwide Class covers all U.S. purchasers except California residents, who are being handled through a separate California case against Kimberly-Clark and Procter & Gamble. If you live outside the specifically named states, you’re likely still part of the broader Nationwide Class.

Not sure if you qualify for the Kimberly-Clark Kotex lead lawsuit? A free consultation with a consumer fraud attorney can help clarify your standing before any deadlines apply to your state.

What Are Kotex Buyers Asking the Court to Award?

There’s no dollar figure attached yet, and there won’t be until — or unless — the case settles or goes to trial. The complaint asks the court to certify the class, declare Kimberly-Clark’s conduct unlawful, and award damages, restitution, and attorneys’ fees. No money yet. No claim form yet.

What Could Kotex Buyers Receive If This Case Settles?

Impossible to predict this early. Past tampon-related consumer settlements have ranged from small per-unit refunds to seven-figure funds, depending on how many people file claims and how the case resolves. The Rael feminine wipes false advertising lawsuit is a useful comparison — that case is still pending too, with no dollar amount confirmed. Talk to a consumer fraud attorney if you want a clearer read on your specific situation.

What Should Kotex Buyers Do Right Now?

1. Most affected buyers will be automatically included in the class. No need to sign up yet
2. Save your receipts, credit card statements, or loyalty account records showing Kotex Click purchases
3. Hold onto any unused boxes or packaging — the lot numbers may matter later
4. Watch for a class certification ruling; that’s the next major milestone in this case
5. Monitor the docket in the Northern District of Illinois, Case No. 1:25-cv-09736
6. If you believe your damages are unusually high, ask an attorney about filing an individual claim instead of joining the class

Kimberly-Clark Kotex Lawsuit — Frequently Asked Questions, No. 1:25-cv-09736

Is there a class action lawsuit against Kimberly-Clark for lead in tampons right now?

 Yes. Stephanie Foster filed suit against Kimberly-Clark on August 14, 2025, in the Northern District of Illinois, alleging undisclosed lead in U by Kotex Click tampons.

Do I need to do anything right now to be part of the Kimberly-Clark lawsuit? 

No. Class members are generally included automatically once a class is certified. Save your purchase records in the meantime.

When will the Kimberly-Clark Kotex case settle?

 There’s no timeline. The case is still in early litigation, before any ruling on class certification.

Can I file my own lawsuit against Kimberly-Clark instead of joining the class?

 Yes, particularly if you believe you suffered damages significantly above the average class member. Talk to a consumer fraud attorney about your options.

How will I find out if the Kimberly-Clark lawsuit settles?

 Court filings are public through PACER under Case No. 1:25-cv-09736. Settlement notices, if any, would also typically go out by mail or email to identified purchasers.

What specific laws does Kimberly-Clark allegedly violate?

 The Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, similar consumer protection statutes in eight other states, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment.

How much could Kotex buyers get if this case settles?

 Unknown at this stage. It depends on the size of the eventual settlement fund, if one is reached, and how many people file claims.

Does this lawsuit cover Kotex products that don’t contain lead, like the organic line?

 No. The case is limited to U by Kotex Click Regular, Super, and Super Plus tampons — the specific products tested in the complaint.

Sources Used in This Kimberly-Clark Kotex Article

• Class Action Complaint — Foster v. Kimberly-Clark Corporation, filed Aug. 14, 2025: https://truthinadvertising.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Foster-v-Kimberly-Clark-complaint.pdf
• Court Docket (RECAP/PACER) — CourtListener, N.D. Ill. Case No. 1:25-cv-09736: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71114114/foster-v-kimberly-clark-corporation/
• Case Docket — Law360: https://www.law360.com/cases/689ee3e8b2e0c80acc639493

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.