Category: Issue 318
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Kristin Choo, “Hungry for Change: The Feds Consider a Steady Diet of Stronger Regulation to Help Fix the U.S. Food Safety Network,” ABA Journal, September 2009
Freelance writer Kristin Choo opens this overview of food safety in the United States by observing, “You could fill a shopping cart with foods recently linked to outbreaks of illness caused by contamination. In June, it was cookie dough. In May, it was alfalfa sprouts. Before that, it was pistachios, peanuts, spinach, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers…
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New Anti-Obesity Ad Campaign Draws Criticism from Beverage Association
A new anti-obesity ad unveiled by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene depicts globs of human fat gushing from a soda bottle and asks the question: “Are you pouring on the pounds? Don’t drink yourself fat.” The ad urges viewers to choose water, seltzer or low-fat milk instead of high-calorie sodas…
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All Food Packaging Leaches Chemicals
The cover story from the latest Chemical & Engineering News details the challenges faced by food and drug makers to keep chemical leaching from product packaging and processing to a minimum. According to the article, even the most inert substances used in food packaging, such as glass, can leach chemicals because they are typically capped…
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IOM Report Recommends Government Actions to Curb Childhood Obesity
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has published a report titled Local Government Actions to Prevent Childhood Obesity, which advises cities, counties and townships to adopt a variety of health measures likely to directly affect children outside the regular school day. According to IOM, “16.3 percent of children and adolescents between the ages of two and 19…
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Fraud Claims Filed Against Pet Food Sellers
Putative class claims have been filed in a California federal court against Old Mother Hubbard, Inc. and Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. alleging fraud in the sale of Wellness pet food. Barney v. Old Mother Hubbard, Inc., No. 09-06194 (C.D. Cal., filed August 25, 2009). According to a news source, the complaint contends that the pet…
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Denny’s Faces Second Class Action Over Food Salt Content
Putative class claims have been filed in federal court in Illinois against Denny’s Corp., alleging that the company defrauded consumers by misrepresenting or omitting information about the “excessive amount of sodium—the deadliest ingredient in the food supply—present in its meals.” Ciszewski v. Denny’s Corp., No. 09-5355 (N.D. Ill, filed August 29, 2009). Information about similar…
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Plaintiffs Claim Bisphenol A Found in “BPA-Free” Aluminum Reusable Bottles
Kentucky and Texas residents have filed a putative class action in federal court against SIGG Switzerland (USA), Inc. claiming that the company misrepresented that its aluminum reusable bottles were free of bisphenol A (BPA). Johnson v. SIGG Switzerland (USA), Inc., 09-669 (W.D. Ky., filed August 28, 2009). The complaint cites actions the company’s CEO took in…
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Cereal Manufacturers Dispute FSA Ads Warning of Excessive Salt Content
The Association of Cereal Food Manufacturers (ACFM) has reportedly asked the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) to delay a forthcoming public health initiative that warns of excessive salt content in cereals and other products. Slated for release next month, the TV and radio advertisements are part of an ongoing FSA effort to reduce the average…