Category: Issue 443
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California Slaughterhouse Law Ruling Vacated on Remand from SCOTUS
On remand from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an order which reinstates a district court ruling that a California law regulating swine slaughterhouses and nonambulatory animals was preempted by federal law. Nat’l Meat Ass’n v. Harris, Nos. 09-15483 and -15486 (9th Cir., order entered June 8, 2012). Additional…
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NYC Board of Health to Consider Proposed Limit on Soft Drink Sizes
The New York City Board of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has called a July 24, 2012, public hearing to gather feedback on Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s recommendation to limit the size of sugar-sweetened beverages sold at local food service establishments. The 11 member board reportedly voted unanimously at a June 12, 2012, meeting to publish…
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California to Let Voters Decide Whether to Require GMO Labeling
California Secretary of State Debra Bowen (D) has reportedly certified that enough valid signatures were gathered to allow a genetically modified organism (GMO) food-labeling initiative on the state ballot during the November 6, 2012, general election. In May, the Committee for the Right to Know obtained 971,126 signatures, of which 555,236 had to be proven…
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Philippines Department of Justice Upholds DOH Decision on Infant Formula Trademarks
According to news sources, Philippine Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima issued an opinion in May 2012, upholding a Department of Health (DOH) memorandum that prohibited multinational companies that make infant milk and other nutritional products from using registered trademarks that contain health and nutrition claims which may undermine breastfeeding and breast milk. The…
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Health Canada Releases Voluntary Sodium Guidelines for Processed Foods
Health Canada recently issued “Guidance for the Food Industry on Reducing Sodium in Processed Foods” as part of its effort “to help Canadians achieve the average sodium intake goal of 2300 mg per day by 2016.” According to Health Canada, which developed the voluntary guidance after receiving “significant input” from stakeholders, the benchmark sodium levels…
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FDA Accepts Markey Petition, May Disallow Use of BPA in Infant Formula Packaging
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified Representative Edward Markey (D-Mass.) that it has accepted his petition seeking to prohibit the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in canned infant formula. If the agency is able to complete its scientific review, it will file his petition in the Federal Register within 90 days seeking public…