Category: Issue 449
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Research Targets Sports Drink Availability in Schools
A recent study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has reportedly registered a significant decrease in the availability of soft drinks in secondary schools but “widespread access to other sugary beverages, such as fruit drinks and sport drinks.” Yvonne Terry McElrath, et al., “Trends in Competitive Venue Beverage Availability: Findings From US Secondary…
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Study Allegedly Links Diacetyl to Alzheimer’s Disease
A University of Minnesota study has reported that diacetyl (DA), a food additive used to mimic butter flavors, allegedly “intensifies the damaging effects of an abnormal brain protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease,” according to a recent American Chemical Society press release. Swati More, et al., “The Butter Flavorant, Diacetyl, Exacerbates β-Amyloid Cytotoxicity,” Chemical Research in…
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James Surowiecki, “Downsizing Supersize,” The New Yorker, August 13, 2012
“In an era of political polarization, Michael Bloomberg has the rare ability to come up with policies that enrage everyone,” opines New Yorker staff writer James Surowiecki in this August 13, 2012, article analyzing the mayor’s plan to prohibit all New York City food vendors from selling sodas in sizes larger than 16 ounces. Surowiecki…
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Nestlé Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Undergoing Testing in Australia
According to Nestlé Australia, some consumers feeding their babies NAN H.A. [hypoallergenic] 1 Gold® infant formula have complained about alleged adverse health effects. A news source indicates that purchasers have reported in online reviews that their children have experienced rashes, dark green stools, dehydration, and vomiting, among other symptoms. Calling product safety and quality a…
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California Resident Relied on Oxygenated Water Health-Benefit Claims
A Los Angeles County resident has filed a putative class action against the Austrian and British makers of “Oxygizer” water, claiming that the companies “falsely represent that through a patented process they are able to hyperoxygenate water and that consumption of Oxygizer leads to a number of purported beneficial health effects.” Ghazarian v. Oxy Beverages…
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Tuna Makers Agree to Settle Claims for Alleged Product Misrepresentations
The day after district attorneys for three California counties filed a lawsuit against tuna producers alleging that they make quantity misrepresentations “by failing to meet the standard of identity for canned tuna products seasoned or flavored with broth, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations,” it was announced that a $3.3 million settlement had…
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California Court Dismisses Banana Plantation Lawsuit
A California Superior Court has reportedly dismissed a lawsuit filed by nearly 3,000 Philippine banana plantation workers who claimed that exposure to the pesticide 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) more than 30 years ago caused physical and mental injury including sterility, testicular atrophy, miscarriages, and cancer. Macasa v. Dole Food Co., No. BC467134 (Cal Super. Ct., decided August…
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Longneck Beer Bottles Not Unreasonably Dangerous in Texas Bars
A Texas appeals court has dismissed product liability and negligence claims filed by a woman injured when she was struck twice in the face with a longneck beer bottle during a birthday celebration at a bar known for its violence. Gann v. Anheuser-Busch, Inc., No. 08-00017 (Tex. App., 8th Dist., July 25, 2012). Affirming the…