Category: Issue 341
-
Researchers Find Young Children Aware of Popular Brands
A recent psychology study has reportedly suggested that children younger than age 5 “have emerging knowledge of brands that are relevant in their lives.” Anna McAllister and T. Bettina Cornwell, “Children’s Brand Symbolism Understanding: Links to Theory of Mind and Executive Functioning,” Psychology & Marketing, March 2010. Noting previous research suggesting that “brand symbolism understanding…
-
GAO Report Criticizes FDA for Lax Oversight of GRAS Foods
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report criticizing the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) oversight of food ingredients determined to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Noting that companies are not required to submit their GRAS determinations to regulators, GAO examined whether FDA can vouch for these substances, which increasingly include nanomaterials.…
-
Study Claims BPA Exposure May Cause Permanent Fertility Defects
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have reportedly claimed in a new study that exposure to the food packaging chemical bisphenol A (BPA) during pregnancy can cause permanent abnormalities in the uterus of offspring, including altering their DNA. Jason G. Bromer, et al, “Bisphenol-A exposure in utero leads to epigenetic alterations in the developmental programming…
-
CSPI Faults Most Food, Entertainment Companies for Food Marketing to Kids
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has issued a report card that rates 128 companies for their policies on marketing food to children. According to CSPI, most of the food makers, restaurants and entertainment companies failed “either for having weak policies or for failing to have any policies whatsoever.” Based on research…
-
EU High Court Adviser Rules Argentine Soy Meal Not Protected by EU Patent on GE Soybeans
A European Court of Justice adviser has determined that Monsanto Co. cannot seek royalties from a company that imported from Argentina soy meal containing residues of Monsanto’s patented gene. Case C-428/08, Monsanto Tech. LLC v. Cefetra BV (Op. of Advocate Gen. Mengozzi, delivered March 9, 2010). Monsanto has no patent on its Roundup Ready® soybeans in…
-
Pelman “Obesity” Lawsuit Reassigned Yet Again
Over the past two years, little has taken place in Pelman v. McDonald’s Corp., the putative class action litigation brought in 2002 on behalf of obese and overweight teenagers who alleged that the fast food restaurant is responsible for their weight-related health conditions. On March 10, 2010, the case was reassigned to U.S. District Court…
-
Some Claims Dismissed in Dispute over Supply-Chain Insurance Coverage
A federal court in California has dismissed without prejudice some of the claims filed by a food supplier in a dispute over insurance coverage in food-contamination litigation. Nat’l Surety Corp. v. Pacific Int’l Vegetable Mktg., Inc., No. 09-4898 (N.D. Cal., decided March 5, 2010). A fast food restaurant was sued for injuries purportedly linked to…
-
Eighth Circuit Finds Some Poultry Processing Facility Losses Not Covered by Insurance
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has determined that certain business expense claims and a personal property claim made by a poultry processor for damages sustained during a break in electrical service caused by an ice storm were not covered by the processor’s insurance policy. George’s Inc. v. Allianz Global Risks US Ins. Co., No. 09-2220…