The state’s lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges the companies violated Proposition 65, which prohibits exposing consumers to chemicals that could cause cancer or reproductive problems without clear warnings.
The suit says the California Department of Justice found unacceptable levels of lead or cadmium in fresh and frozen clams, cuttlefish, eel, octopus, oysters, periwinkle and sea squirt.
The defendants named in the suit are importers, distributors and wholesalers of seafood.
The report is to effort a national standard for reform. Activists say the policies do not mean anything unless police are actually held accountable.
