Category: Issue 429
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New Study Allegedly Links Food Animals to Human UTIs
A recent study has reportedly suggested that some food animals, and chickens in particular, are “likely” reservoirs for the extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) implicated in community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) among humans. Catherine Racicot Bergeron, et al., “Chicken Reservoirs for Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Humans, Canada,” Emerging Infectious Diseases, March 2012. According to…
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White House Urged to Appeal WTO Ruling on COOL Regulations
Several consumer organizations have called on President Barack Obama (D) to appeal a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that favored Canada and Mexico in a dispute over U.S. country-of-origin-labeling (COOL) requirements for beef and pork products. In their February 24, 2012, letter, Consumers Union, Food & Water Watch, Public Citizen, and the Consumer Federation of…
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Health Group Coalition Urges “Added Sugar” Labeling
The American Heart Association, Center for Science in the Public Interest and Environmental Working Group (EWG) have issued a February 23, 2012, letter to the Food and Drug Administration, requesting that the agency compel food labels to denote “added sugars” separately on ingredient lists. Signed by 11 additional organizations, the letter cites national survey data…
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McDonald’s and Franchisee Not Liable for Cashier’s Spatula Attack on Customer
A Mississippi appeals court has determined that neither McDonald’s Corp. nor one of its franchisees could be held liable for injuries allegedly resulting from a spatula-wielding cashier’s response to a dispute with a customer. Parmenter v. J&B Enters., Inc. No. 2010-CA-01251 (Miss. Ct. App., decided February 21, 2012). Affirming the trial court’s grant of summary judgment…
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Consumer Advocate Files Antitrust Complaint in Israel over Chocolate Prices
The consumer group Emun Hazibur has reportedly filed a complaint with Israel’s antitrust authority alleging that The Strauss Group, ranked second among food manufacturers in the country, is exploiting its 63 percent share of the chocolate market by overcharging customers. The group and several others apparently compared the company’s prices to leading brands in other…
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Industry Interests Appeal Court’s Dismissal of Challenge to 4-MEI Prop. 65 Listing
According to a news source, the industry interests that lost their challenge to the listing of 4-MEI as a chemical known to California to cause cancer have filed an appeal in the Third District Court of Appeals. Cal. League of Food Processors v. OEHHA, No. C070406 (Cal. Ct. App., 3rd Dist., appeal filed February 10, 2012).…
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Migrant Workers Bring Cannery Employment Row Against Owner in Federal Court
Sixty-five legal migrant workers from Mexico have filed a putative class action against GLK Foods, LLC in a federal court in Wisconsin, seeking to recover wages and damages for breach of contract, including the cost of transportation if the workers were terminated before the end of their certified period of employment. Jiminez v. GLK Foods…
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Class Action Challenges “All Natural” Claims for 0 Calories Lifewater® Beverages
A California resident has filed a putative class action in a California federal court against the companies that make a line of SoBe® beverages known as 0 Calories Lifewater®, alleging that the product labels and promotions are misleading. Hairston v. S. Beach Beverage Co., Inc., No. 12-1429 (C.D. Cal., filed February 21, 2012). According to…