Category: Issue 373
-
Guardian Report Criticizes Industry Involvement in UK Health Policy
The Guardian has published an exclusive exposé claiming that fast-food companies and other industry interests helped write U.K. health policy at the behest of the secretary of state for health. According to the November 12, 2010, article, “In an overhaul of public health, said by campaign groups to be the equivalent of handing smoking policy…
-
Agriculture Groups Form Alliance to Bolster Image of U.S. Farm Production Methods
A coalition of 24 farmer- and rancher-led organizations has reportedly formed an alliance to “develop and implement a well-funded, long term, and coordinated public trust campaign for American agriculture.” The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) includes organizations from virtually all aspects of agriculture that share the goal of bolstering the image of farm production…
-
SPLC Reports on Conditions Immigrant Women Face in U.S. Food Industry
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has issued a report titled “Injustice on Our Plates: Immigrant Women in the U.S. Food Industry.” Based on interviews in early 2010 with 150 undocumented immigrant women working in the U.S. food industry in Arkansas, California, Florida, Iowa, New York, and North Carolina, the report highlights the dangerous conditions…
-
Exploding Escargot, “Friggin’ Rudeness” and Hot Garlic Butter Lead to Small Claims Court
Two California businessmen have reportedly filed a complaint in small claims court against a Marin County restaurateur, alleging that they were sprayed with hot garlic butter from an exploding snail. Chadwick St.-O’Harra, a former law student, and Steve Righetti were apparently celebrating Righetti’s birthday at a seafood restaurant, when the escargot purportedly exploded, dousing their…
-
False Immunity Claims Raised Against Maker of Acai Mixed Berry Red Tea
A California resident has filed a putative class action against Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., in federal court, alleging that the company has violated consumer protection laws in labeling and promoting its “Snapple® Acai Mixed Berry Red Tea Immunity” product because “no known clinical study . . . adequately supports Snapple’s claims.” Meaunrit v. Dr.…
-
FTC Seeks Dismissal of POM Wonderful Challenge to Health-Claim Standards
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a motion to dismiss a complaint charging the agency with exceeding its authority in requiring Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pre-approval for health-related claims on food products, violating advertisers’ constitutional rights by requiring compliance with these standards and failing to comply with notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures in establishing the…
-
Federal Court Denies Motion to Settle Trans Fat Margarine Litigation
A federal court in California, presiding over two putative class actions alleging that I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!®, Country Crock® and other cholesterol-free margarines were falsely advertised as nutritious, has denied a joint motion for preliminary approval of a class settlement. Red v. Unilever PLC, No. 10-00387 (N.D. Cal., order filed November 16, 2010).…
-
San Francisco Mayor Vetoes Restaurant Toy Ban
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) has reportedly vetoed an ordinance that would have prohibited restaurants from offering toy giveaways in children’s meals deemed too high in calories, salt or fat. Approved in an 8-to-3 vote on November 2, 2010, by the city’s Board of Supervisors, the ordinance has the minimum amount of support needed…