Jessica Alba: Actress slams 'baseless' Honest Company lawsuit after customer sues for $5m

Actress Jessica Alba has responded to the lawsuit filed against her non-toxic household product brand The Honest Company, describing the complaints as "baseless". The company has been accused of falsely advertising its products as "natural" when some reportedly contain synthetic chemicals.

In his $5m (£3.2m) lawsuit, customer Jonathan Rubin alleges that some of the brand's surface cleaners, hand and dish soaps and nappies are not completely natural as it states on the labels and should not be sold as such. In a statement released to the IBTimes UK, Alba refutes the allegations stating: "Seven years ago, when I was pregnant with my first daughter, I was frustrated by the lack of healthy and safe product options for me and my new family.

"In fact, prior to launching The Honest Company, I began lobbying Congress to require that ingredients used in everyday products are tested for safety prior to entry into the marketplace. I started The Honest Company to develop safe and effective products not just for my children, but for families everywhere."

The Sin City actress insists that the products sold by The Honest Company have been tried and tested for safety before being mass distributed. She continued: "I am very proud that we have built this company into an industry leader focused on using natural ingredients and developing products that people love.

"We believe that consumers deserve to know what's in their products – whether it's diapers for their children, cleaning products for their families or beauty products for themselves. Our formulations are made with integrity and strict standards of safety, and we label each ingredient that goes into every product – not because we have to, but because it's the right thing to do."

According to TMZ, who named him, Rubin states in his legal documents that he had contacted an environmental group to verify his claims but Alba disagrees with their findings, adding: "The allegations against us are baseless and without merit. We strongly stand behind our products and the responsibility we have to our consumers. We are steadfast in our commitment to transparency and openness. I know my children, Honor and Haven, are growing up in a safer home because of our products."

In August 2015, it was reported that The Honest Company is valued at $1.2bn (£779m) after receiving new financial investments, boosting Alba's estimated personal net worth to $350m (227.4m).