A Colorado man has initiated legal action against retail giant Walmart, alleging he sustained severe and painful injuries after consuming raw bake-to-eat bread that he claims expanded dangerously within his stomach. Jordan T. Douglas, a resident of El Paso County, filed a personal injury lawsuit in district court this week, detailing a harrowing medical ordeal that followed his lunch.
Alleged Incident and Immediate Aftermath
According to the complaint obtained by Courthouse News, Douglas purchased a loaf of MarketSide-branded bread from the Walmart store located at 1575 Space Center Drive in Colorado Springs on September 22, 2025. He consumed the bread during his lunch break, under the belief it was ready to eat. Shortly thereafter, he developed severe abdominal pain and began repeatedly vomiting.
The situation escalated rapidly, leading Douglas to seek emergency medical care. He was admitted to UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, where he remained for approximately three days. During this hospitalisation, he was in significant distress, suffering from intense pain and continuous vomiting.
Medical Diagnosis and Alleged Cause
Medical imaging conducted at the hospital reportedly revealed a gastrointestinal obstruction. The complaint alleges this blockage was directly caused by the expansion of uncooked dough inside his stomach. Douglas claims the bread was a 'take and bake' product, not a ready-to-eat item, but this critical information was allegedly obscured.
He asserts that a store-applied 'sell-by' label was placed directly over the preparation instructions on the packaging. This, he argues, made the loaf appear 'substantially baked and indistinguishable from ready-to-eat bread products' commonly sold by Walmart. Douglas stated he 'reasonably believed' the product was safe for immediate consumption without any baking required.
Legal Claims Against Walmart and Manufacturer
The lawsuit levels serious accusations against Walmart, alleging the retailer created an 'unreasonable risk of harm to customers' by altering the product packaging in a manner that hid vital safety instructions. Douglas claims Walmart failed to exercise reasonable care, did not follow reasonable internal policies or industry standards regarding labelling, and inadequately trained employees on safe labelling practices.
Furthermore, the complaint argues the bread was in a 'defective condition' that was 'unreasonably dangerous' when sold. Douglas alleges his injuries were 'foreseeable, preventable, and directly caused' by Walmart's omissions and actions.
In addition to Walmart, the lawsuit names Anthony & Sons Italian Bakery, the manufacturer of the bread, as a defendant. Claims against the bakery include strict products liability and negligence for an alleged failure to warn. Douglas contends the manufacturer owed a duty to provide clear, conspicuous, and adequate preparation and safety warnings but failed to adequately warn of the risks of consuming the product without baking it first.
Severity of Injuries and Damages Sought
The medical consequences for Douglas were reportedly severe. The lawsuit claims his treatment required an invasive nasogastric tube, bowel rest, and extensive diagnostic testing. Beyond the physical trauma, he says he has endured substantial medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, emotional distress, and a loss of enjoyment of life.
Douglas is seeking compensatory damages to be determined at trial. He is also asking for court costs, interest as allowed by law, and any other relief the court deems appropriate. Notably, the complaint indicates he is not demanding a trial by jury. Representatives for Walmart, Anthony & Sons Italian Bakery, and Douglas's attorney, Jeffrey Scott Lasswell, have been contacted for comment regarding the allegations.
