Category: Issue 292
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Federal Court Allows “Natural” Suit to Proceed Against Arizona Beverage
A federal court in California has denied a motion to dismiss putative class claims that Arizona Beverage Co. deceptively labels its products as “100% Natural,” “All Natural,” or “Natural,” despite using high-fructose corn syrup as an ingredient. Hitt v. Arizona Beverage Co., LLC, No. 08-809 (S.D. Cal., order entered February 4, 2009). The complaint also alleges…
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FDA Announces Science Board Meeting on BPA Assessment
The FDA Science Board has announced a public meeting on February 24, 2009, to discuss “the continued assessment of bisphenol A (BPA) in FDA-regulated products.” The board will also receive updates from two working groups on “economically motivated adulteration of FDA-regulated products and rapid detection of Salmonella in foods.” In addition, FDA intends to publish…
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Research Alleges Link Between Maternal Obesity and Birth Defects
A recent meta-analysis and systematic review of medical literature has suggested that obese women are more likely to have children affected by structural abnormalities such as tube defects, spina bifida, cardiovascular anomalies, septal anomalies, cleft palate, cleft lip and palate, anorectal atresia, hydrocephaly, and limb reduction anomalies. Katherine J. Stothard, et al., “Maternal Overweight and…
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Study Claims Additional Phosphorus in Fast Food May Compound Kidney Ailments
A recent study has claimed that processed and fast foods containing phosphorus may constitute a “hidden” danger to people seeking to limit their intake of the substance, which can cause heart disease, bone disease and death in patients with advanced renal disease. Catherine Sullivan, et al., “Effect of Food Additives on Hyperphosphatemia Among Patients With…
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European Animal Welfare Groups Push for Standards in Global Trade Agreements
European animal advocates and some European Commission (EC) members recently attended a Conference on Global Trade and Farm Animal Welfare in Brussels, Belgium, where they reportedly called on legislators to include animal welfare provisions in all global trade agreements. In particular, EC members noted that animal welfare restrictions have driven up the cost of meat…
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General Mills’ Yoplait® to Use Milk from rBST-Free Cows
General Mills has announced that as of August 2009, its Yoplait® products will no longer contain milk produced by cows treated with synthetic growth hormone (rBST or rBGH). Although the artificial hormone increases a cow’s milk production by one gallon per day, its use has drawn criticism from environmental and consumer advocates who fear the…
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Pew Environment Group Releases FDA Documents on Chilean Salmon Farms
The Pew Environment Group has released documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request showing that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) faulted three Chilean salmon farming companies, “including the two largest producers of farmed salmon,” for using a number of drugs not approved by the U.S. government. FDA inspections apparently uncovered use of…
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Industry and Consumer Perspectives Presented During ABA Food Law Seminar
The American Bar Association’s Litigation Section sponsored a “Hot Topics in Food Law” program via the Web and telephone on February 10, 2009. Speakers included in-house counsel for a large food manufacturing company, a Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) representative and Stephen Gardner, the director of litigation for the Center for Science in the Public Interest…