Lawsuit claims popular, low-cost wines contain high levels of arsenic

LOS ANGELES -- A class action lawsuit filed on Thursday claims some of the top-selling, low-cost wines produced by dozens of wineries in California contain "very high levels of arsenic."

According to the lawsuit, varieties of wines including Trader Joe’s Two-Buck Chuck White Zinfandel, Franzia White Grenache and Menage a Trois Moscato had three and five times the amount of arsenic the EPA allows in drinking water.

CBS News reports the complaint alleges 28 different wineries have high levels of arsenic but are not appropriately warning the public about possible dangers.

The wines named in the lawsuit are mostly low-end white or blush wines that cost less than $10.

The wines were tested for arsenic by BeverageGrades lab, which looked at more than 1,300 wines. Nearly 83 had high levels of arsenic, according to the lawsuit.

Arsenic is a carcinogen that can lead to serious health problems.

The lawyer filing the suit said his goal is to get the wines recalled and "clean up the wine industry in California.”