Category: Issue 354
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Calling Use of Toys to Market Happy Meals® Illegal, CSPI Threatens Lawsuit
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has notified McDonald’s Corp. that it intends to sue the company within 30 days if it does not immediately stop using toys to market its Happy Meals® to young children. The letter characterizes the practice as “illegal, because marketing to kids under eight is (1) inherently…
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Enjoining GM Alfalfa Deregulation Went Too Far According to U.S. Supreme Court
In a 7-1 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has determined that a district court erred in enjoining the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) from even partially deregulating Monsanto’s Roundup Ready® alfalfa while the agency takes steps to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Monsanto Co. v. Geertson Seed Farms, No. 09-475 (U.S.,…
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Louisiana Approves “Farm of Origin” Strawberry Labeling Law
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R) has reportedly signed a bill (H.B. 430) that requires “farm of origin” labels on all strawberries sold in the state. According to the bill’s sponsor, Representative Stephen Pugh (R.-Ponchatoula), strawberry growers backed the measure “as a way to protect the integrity of their industry.” With input from the Louisiana Strawberry…
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UK Health Agency Calls for Cuts in Salt, Fat in Food
The United Kingdom’s (UK) public health watchdog has issued new guidance that claims salt and saturated fat reduction could prevent 40,000 unnecessary deaths a year from heart disease and stroke. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has called for a maximum daily intake of 6g of salt per adult by 2015 and…
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FDA Announces Information Collections Related to Food Code, Food Contact Materials
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submitted two proposed information collections to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The first collection pertains to the adoption of the model FDA Food Code by local, state and tribal governments, “an important step toward the agency’s goal for consistent, scientifically sound, and risk-based food safety…
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Whole Foods Divestiture Continues
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently took action on the divestiture of certain Whole Foods Market Inc.’s assets as part of the consent order that concluded antitrust litigation the agency brought to challenge Whole Foods’ 2007 acquisition of Wild Oats Market, Inc. According to an FTC news release, the Whole Foods divestiture trustee sought approval…