Category: Issue 308
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Neurologist Claims Farmed Fish Might Pose Risk for Mad Cow Disease
A University of Louisville neurologist has published a report questioning the safety of farmed fish that are fed cattle byproducts, which could allegedly present a risk of transmitting mad cow disease to humans. Robert P. Friedland, et al, “Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Aquaculture,” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (June 2009). Friedland and his co-authors have urged…
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Environmentally Focused Investment Managers Publish Nano Risk Report
The Investor Environmental Health Network has issued a report urging federal regulators to change shareholder reporting requirements to close loopholes that are allowing corporations to use nanotechnologies without disclosing their potential long-term risks to investors. Titled “Bridging the Credibility Gap, Eight Corporate Liability Accounting Loopholes That Regulators Must Close,” the report explores two case studies, asbestos…
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AMA Declines to Label Obesity a Disability
The American Medical Association (AMA) has reportedly voted against a policy that would describe obesity as a disability, citing concerns over patient care and litigation. In particular, some AMA members noted that a disability designation might curb the willingness of physicians to openly discuss weight issues with their patients. “If obesity is designated as a…
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Guilty Plea Entered in Melamine-Tainted Pet Food Case
The U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri has announced that a Nevada company and its owners entered guilty pleas in federal court “to distributing a tainted ingredient used to make pet food, which resulted in a nationwide recall of pet food and the death and serious illness of countless pets across the United…
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New Jersey Court Finds Insurance Contract Ambiguous; Insurer Liable for Tainted Food-Related Claims
A New Jersey Superior Court judge has denied insurers’ request for summary judgment in a case brought by Taco Bell Restaurant franchisees seeking “protection from the consequences of publicity about contaminated food served at restaurants.” In re: Quick Service Mgmt., Inc. v. Underwriters of Lloyds, No. 4861-07 (N.J. Super. Ct., decided June 12, 2009). The court…
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Waffle Fraud Plaintiffs File Motion to Certify Nationwide Class
Consumers who sued the company that makes Van’s brand frozen waffles and a number of retailers, alleging that the calorie and nutrition information on the packaging did not accurately reflect what was in the products, have filed a motion to certify a nationwide class. Hodes v. Van’s Int’l Foods, No. 09-01530 (C.D. Cal., motion filed June…
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42 Nebraska Herds Quarantined over Concerns of Bovine Tuberculosis
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has reportedly quarantined 42 herds involved in an ongoing bovine tuberculosis outbreak, which the department says may have already spread to Colorado and South Dakota because animals from quarantined herds were sold to cattle producers in those states. Transmitted through contact and respiration, bovine tuberculosis is easily transmitted within herds…
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Connecticut AG Seeks Details of “Apparent Campaign” to Fight BPA Regulation
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has reportedly launched an investigation into chemical and packaging lobbyists who allegedly sought to thwart regulation banning the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles, infant food jars and other products. Blumenthal is seeking details about a series of joint trade association meetings held in April and May 2009,…