Category: Issue 398
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USDA Inspector General Report Criticizes Regulation Deficiencies Regarding GE Animals, Insects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Office of Inspector General (IG) has issued an audit report criticizing USDA agencies for lacking coordinated oversight of regulations behind research and development of genetically engineered (GE) animals and insects. The agencies conduct and fund research into how GE animals can enhance the productivity of food animals and how…
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WTO Panel Issues Preliminary Ruling Against COOL
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has reportedly issued a preliminary ruling that U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) laws violate the organization’s Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. According to Feedstuffs, a WTO panel found that COOL “constitutes an illegal, non-tariff trade barrier that treats U.S. livestock and perishable commodities more favorably than livestock, fruits and vegetables…
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Appellate Court Rejects Challenge to Prop. 65 Listing Method
A California court of appeal has ruled valid the methods by which the state updates the list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (Prop. 65). Cal. Chamber of Commerce v. Brown, No. A125493 (Cal. Ct. App., decided June 6, 2011). Products containing these…
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FDA Tomato Recall Generates New Lawsuit
Another tomato grower has filed a claim for damages against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), alleging that the agency announced a nationwide recall of all tomatoes in the United States in 2008 without having identified tomatoes as the source of a Salmonella outbreak. Williams Farms Produce Sales, Inc. v. United States, No. 11-01399 (D.S.C., filed…
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Fresh Squeezed or Made from Concentrate?
Alabama and Indiana residents have filed a putative class action alleging violation of state consumer protection laws by a company that promotes its orange juice as “not from concentrate juice” and “100% pure Florida squeezed,” when it allegedly “contains orange juice concentrate and water.” Leftwich v. TWS Mktg. Group, Inc., No. 11-01879 (D. Ala., filed…