Category: Issue 396
-
WCRF/AICR Report Links Bowel Cancer Risk to Meaty Diet
The World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) has issued a colorectal cancer report allegedly concluding “that red and processed meat increase risk of the disease.” Part of the groups’ Continuous Update Project, which in 2007 covered 749 papers on colorectal cancer, the 2011 report reviews 263 additional papers examining “the links between…
-
Rumors of Marmite Ban Spark Online Uprising
Rumors that Denmark banned the sale of Marmite and other savory yeast extract spreads because they contain added vitamins have apparently given rise to online protests and calls to boycott iconic Danish brands such as Lego®. Media sources have reported that Marmite fans rallied on Facebook and other social media sites after hearing that the…
-
Illinois Plaintiff Files Personal Injury Action Against Ocean Spray
A man who claims that his consumption of Ocean Spray’s 100% Cranberry Pomegranate Juice® caused his food poisoning and other related injuries, has filed an individual action against the company, retailers and a testing laboratory in an Illinois state court. Mihalopoulos v. Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., No. 2011L005420 (Ill. Cir. Ct., Cook Cty., filed May…
-
Amount of Fat in Meat Products Draws New Class Action
According to a news source, a Florida resident has filed a putative class action against Kraft Foods Global, Inc., alleging that the packaging for its Oscar Mayer® deli meat products misleads consumers by declaring the meat to be 98 percent fat free, with 50 calories per serving. McDougal v. Kraft Foods, Inc., No. 11-61202 (S.D. Fla.,…
-
“Sleepy” Tea Designations Brew Trademark Dispute
Celestial Seasonings has filed a complaint against Mexican and Texas companies that are allegedly infringing its Sleepytime trademark with a tea product sold under a “Sleeping Time” mark. The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. v. Royal Tea S.A. de C.V., No. 11-2504 (E.D.N.Y., filed May 24, 2011). According to the complaint, Celestial began registering its marks…
-
Insurer Seeks Declaration of No Duty to Defend or Indemnify Maker of Four Loko®
Selective Insurance Co. of South Carolina has filed a declaratory judgment action against Phusion Projects, Inc., which makes and sells the caffeinated alcohol beverage Four Loko®, claiming that it owes no duty to defend or indemnify Phusion in a number of pending lawsuits. Selective Ins. Co. of S. Car. v. Phusion Projects Inc., No. 11-03378 (N.D. Ill.,…
-
Advocacy Non-Profits Call for FDA to Address Antibiotics in Animal Feed
A coalition of non-profit advocacy organizations has filed a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), alleging that the agency has unreasonably delayed action on several of its petitions relating to the use of antibiotics in animal feed. Natural Res. Def. Council v. FDA, No. 11-3562 (S.D.N.Y., filed May 25,…
-
FTC False Claims Hearing Against POM Wonderful Underway
An administrative law judge has apparently begun hearing a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint alleging that POM Wonderful LLC makes false and unsubstantiated claims that its pomegranate juice products will prevent or treat “heart disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction.” According to a news source, the government opened its case by asserting that the studies…