Category: Issue 461
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GMOs in Cheddar Goldfish Crackers Allegedly Belie “Natural” Label
A Colorado resident has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a putative nationwide class against Pepperidge Farm, Inc., alleging that the company misleads consumers by labeling its Cheddar Goldfish crackers “natural,” because they contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) “in the form of soy and/or soy derivatives.” Bolerjack v. Pepperidge Farm, Inc., No. 12-2918 (D. Colo.,…
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Investors Seek to Consolidate Claims Against Keurig Coffee Brewer Maker
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. investors have reportedly filed a consolidated securities action against the company, claiming that they were misled about demand for Keurig and K-Cup products. La. Mun. Police Emp. Ret. Sys. v. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., No. 11-00289 (D. Vt., filed October 29, 2012). The Louisiana Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System sued…
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CSPI Claims 7Up Antioxidant Beverages Mislead Consumers
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has filed a putative nationwide class action in a federal court in California against Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., alleging that the company misleads consumers, through marketing and product labeling, to believe that the antioxidants contained in its beverages are derived from fruits and that the…
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California Voters Reject Soft Drink Tax
Voters in Richmond and El Monte, California, have rejected measures that would have taxed soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks at a penny-per-ounce rate. According to media sources, Richmond City Councilmember Jeff Ritterman initially proposed Measure N as a way to discourage residents from consuming sugary drinks, which he identified as a prime culprit behind the…
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San Francisco Attorney Puts Pressure on Monster Beverage Corp.
San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera has sent a letter to Monster Beverage CEO Rodney Sacks, asking the company to provide proof that the large dosages of caffeine contained in its popular Monster energy drinks are “completely safe” for consumption by adolescents and adults. Monster Beverage Corp. has come under increased scrutiny following reports last…
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MPs Vote to Review UK Beer Tax
U.K. members of Parliament (MPs) have reportedly agreed to revisit a beer duty escalator tax that raises the price of a pint each year by 2 percent plus the rate of inflation. According to media reports, Conservative MP Andrew Griffiths argued in the House of Commons that the current beer tax has cost the country…
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DEFRA Requests Feedback on Food Labeling Legislation
The U.K. Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced a public consultation seeking feedback on proposed legislation that would implement the European Union’s (EU’s) regulation “on the provision of food information to consumers” (Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011). According to DEFRA, the regulation known as FIC requires food business operators (FBOs) to provide specific…
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EFSA Releases Science Strategy for 2012-2016
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a Science Strategy 2012-2016 outlining the agency’s plans to protect the food supply chain “in the coming years through up-to-date, science-based risk assessments.” Intended to complement EFSA’s corporate Strategic Plan 2009-2013, the new strategy reflects internal deliberations among its Scientific Committee, Advisory Forum, Management Board and staff,…