Category: Issue 329
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Shook Partner to Address 2010 GMA Consumer Complaints Conference
Shook, Hardy & Bacon Agribusiness & Food Safety Co-Chair Madeleine McDonough will discuss “Pre-Litigation Risk Management Strategies” at the GMA Consumer Complaints Conference slated for April 7-9, 2010, in Washington, D.C. The conference is designed specifically for food industry staff working in the areas of consumer affairs, call center management, consumer complaints, product liability claims,…
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Study Examines Autoimmune Illnesses Linked to Pork Processing Plants
A recent study has reportedly confirmed that 21 meatpackers working at a Quality Pork Processors, Inc., facility contracted a neurological disorder after inhaling aerosolized pig proteins. Daniel H. Lachance, et al., “An outbreak of neurological autoimmunity with polyradiculoneuropathy in workers exposed to aerosolised porcine neural tissue: a descriptive study,” The Lancet Neurology, November 30, 2009.…
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Paul McCartney and Edward McMillan-Scott, “Less Meat = Less Heat,” The Parliament Magazine, November 30, 2009
Writing for the European Parliament’s news, policy and information service, Sir Paul McCartney in this article urges members of Parliament (MEPs) and other government stakeholders to promote “meat free Mondays,” a campaign calling on consumers to eat less meat in an effort to slow climate change. According to McCartney, who also brought his message to…
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“Nanoceuticals: Tiny Size, Big Potential,” nanovip.com, December 1, 2009
Noting the absence of significant regulatory oversight, this article discusses the use of nanotechnology in foods, food packaging and food supplements. While the Food and Drug Administration has decided not to regulate products according to the technology used, it will apparently issue a guidance document on nanotechnology in 2010. The article cautions that “companies need…
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Ocean Spray Disputes Assertions That New Cranberry Product Is Falsely Labeled
Ocean Spray, which introduced its Choice® dried cranberries in March 2009, has called “inaccurate” National Consumer League (NCL) allegations that the product is falsely labeled because it contains more sugar than cranberry. The NCL also reportedly contended that Choice® sweetened dried cranberries, which are sold to food manufacturers for use in baked products, trail mix,…
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CSPI Report Criticizes Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has issued a report alleging that “nearly 80 percent of food ads on the popular children’s network Nickelodeon are for foods of poor nutritional quality.” Titled “Better-For-Who? Revisiting company promises on food marketing to children,” the analysis purportedly revealed that one-fourth of the food and beverage…
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Chinese Civil Trial Opens in Tainted Milk Scandal; Two Milk Producers Executed
According to a news source, a Chinese court began hearing claims on November 27, 2009, in a civil suit brought against a dairy company and supermarket by the parents of a child allegedly sickened by melamine-contaminated milk. The parents are reportedly seeking US$8,080, claiming that the milk caused their 20-month-old son’s kidney stone. The companies…
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WTO Judges Agree to Consider COOL Dispute
As anticipated, Canada reportedly renewed its request that the World Trade Organization (WTO) establish a panel to resolve a dispute over U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) requirements. The request was accepted, and the panel is expected to issue its report sometime in the second half of 2010, according to a news source. The WTO can authorize those…