Category: Issue 320
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Diet High in Fructose Allegedly Linked to High Blood Pressure in Men
A recent study presented at the American Heart Association’s High Blood Pressure Research Conference has reportedly claimed that a diet high in fructose raises blood pressure in men, but that the gout drug allopurinol may counteract this effect. “This is the first study to show that fructose can raise blood pressure in humans,” lead author…
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Marion Nestle Discusses Sugar Policy with SFGate Readers
“Sugar is the most absurdly protected agricultural commodity in America,” according to health nutrition author and New York University Professor Marion Nestle, who answered reader questions about sugar policy during a September 20, 2009, online forum hosted by the San Francisco Chronicle’s website, SFGate.com. In explaining the so-called “sugar crisis,” Nestle stated that “Quotas allow…
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Slate Writers Challenge Effectiveness of Proposed “Fat Tax”
“It may take more than an analogy with tobacco to convince voters,” argues Daniel Engber in the first of two recent Slate articles questioning the effectiveness of a proposed federal tax on sugar-sweetened beverages and other “hyperpalatable” food products. Titled “Let Them Drink Water: What a Fat Tax Really Means for America,” the article asserts…
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BMA Report Examines Impact of Alcohol Advertising on Young People
The British Medical Association (BMA) has issued a September 2009 report titled Under the Influence: The Damaging Effect of Alcohol Marketing on Young People, which aims “to identify effective ways of protecting young people from the influence of alcohol promotion and marketing.” Led by Institute for Social Marketing Director Gerald Hastings, the report purportedly “confirms that…
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Vegetarian Group Sues KFC Under Prop. 65 for Carcinogen in Grilled Chicken
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has sued KFC Corp. and its parent Yum! Brands, Inc. in a California court, alleging that they have failed to comply with Proposition 65 (Prop. 65) by selling grilled chicken without warning consumers that it contains a substance, PhIP, known to the state to cause cancer. PCRM v. KFC…
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Class Claims Filed in California Against Cereal Maker for False Advertising
A California man who alleges that he was misled by the packaging and advertising for Cap’n Crunch with Cruncherries® has brought a putative class action against the cereal maker in federal district court. Werbel v. Pepsico, Inc., No. 09-4456 (N.D. Cal., filed September 22, 2009). Alleging violations of California’s unfair competition and false advertising laws,…
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False Advertising Claims Briefly Made Against Juicy Juice® Maker
A putative class action was reportedly filed in a California state court against Nestlé, alleging that the company falsely advertises its “Juicy Juice Brain Development Fruit Juice” as a product that will improve toddlers’ brain function. Plaintiff Alexis Farmer, who then dismissed the complaint without prejudice several days later, reportedly claimed that she purchased the…
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Settlement Reached in Probiotic Yogurt Litigation
Without admitting liability for alleged misleading advertising involving its probiotic yogurt products, The Dannon Co. has agreed to settle claims in seven putative class actions for $35 million. Gemelas v. The Dannon Co., Inc., No. 08-00236 (N.D. Ohio, stipulation of settlement filed September 18, 2009). If approved by the court, the settlement would also require…