Category: Issue 424
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Study Claims PFCs Compromise Vaccine Effectiveness
A recent study has reportedly raised concerns about whether exposure to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) compromises vaccine effectiveness in children. Philippe Grandjean, et al., “Serum Vaccine Antibody Concentrations in Children Exposed to Perfluorinated Compounds,” Journal of the American Medical Association, January 2012. Approved for use in some food contact applications such as microwavable paper, PFCs “have…
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U.S. Study Identifies Livestock-Associated MRSA in Retail Pork
U.S. researchers have reportedly discovered methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in retail pork samples “at a higher rate than previously identified,” raising questions about the organism’s “overall ecology and transmission” in the food supply. Ashley O’Brien, et al., “MRSA in Conventional and Alternative Retail Pork Products,” PLoS One, January 2012. Conducted by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade…
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NRC Calls for Coordinated Effort to Address Nanomaterial Safety
A National Academies National Research Council panel has issued a report acknowledging the progress made by the National Nanotechnology Initiative in researching the environmental and potential health effects of engineered nanomaterials (ENM), but criticizing an overall failure to link research with strategies to prevent and manage risks. Headed by Jonathan Samet, who teaches at the…
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Beverage Producer Claims Recycler Sold Rather Than Destroyed Substandard Products
Spike, LLC, a company that makes and distributes energy drinks, has filed a lawsuit against the company it hired to destroy 18 pallets of products that Spike determined should be removed from the marketplace as unfit for sale, claiming that the recycling company failed to destroy the products and, in fact, sold them “thereby undercutting…
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United States to Appeal WTO Ruling on Dolphin-Safe Labeling of Tuna
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has announced that the United States will file an appeal in a dispute with Mexico before the World Trade Organization (WTO) over U.S. labeling provisions that allow producers meeting dolphin-safe requirements to label their products accordingly. One of the U.S. conditions challenged by Mexico provides that this label…
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Federal Court Dismisses Challenge to USDA Almond Pasteurization Rule
A federal court in the District of Columbia has determined that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had the authority to and properly promulgated a rule “requiring that almonds produced domestically be pasteurized or chemically treated against bacteria.” Koretoff v. Vilsack, No. 08-1558 (D.D.C., decided January 18, 2012). So ruling, the court granted USDA’s motion…
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Plaintiffs Unable to Enjoin FDA from Enforcing Raw Milk Regulations
A federal court in Iowa has denied a motion seeking to preliminarily enjoin the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from enforcing regulations prohibiting the interstate sale of raw milk. Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund v. Sebelius, No. 10-4018 (N.D. Iowa, decided January 23, 2012). The plaintiffs, who either produce or consume raw milk, filed their motion under…
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Seventh Circuit Upholds Indiana Law Regulating Wine Deliveries via Motor Carrier
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has turned aside a challenge to an Indiana law that prevents an alcoholic beverage retailer from shipping wine to its customers via motor carrier. Lebamoff Enters., Inc. v. Huskey, No. 11-1362 (7th Cir., decided January 17, 2012). The retailer claimed that the law was preempted by the Federal Aviation…