Category: Issue 484
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Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Allegedly Linked to Increased Kidney Stone Risk
A recent study purportedly concluded that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with a higher risk of kidney stone formation while consumption of other beverages such as coffee, tea, beer, and wine, is associated with a lower risk. Pietro Manuel Ferraro, et al., “Soda and Other Beverages and the Risk of Kidney Stones,” Clinical Journal…
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New Studies Focus on Sodium and Calorie Content of Restaurant and Processed Foods
Three recent studies published in JAMA Internal Medicine have analyzed the nutritional content of restaurant and processed foods, raising questions about consumer, industry and government efforts to curb calorie, sodium and fat consumption. Authored by Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Executive Director Michael Jacobson and colleagues at George Washington University and Northwestern…
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Center for Food Safety Publishes “Guide to Food Industry Front Groups”
Public interest advocacy organization the Center for Food Safety has issued a report titled “Best Public Relations Money Can Buy: A Guide to Food Industry Front Groups,” authored by food activist and attorney Michele Simon. The report describes what front groups are and how they purportedly function, drawing parallels with a cigarette industry trade group,…
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IOM Report on Salt Recommendations Draws Criticism
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently issued a report assessing the scientific evidence behind government recommendations that adults in the general population reduce dietary sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day and that certain groups of people at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) reduce their salt consumption to 1,500 mg…
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Wage and Rest Break Claimants Settle California Suit Against Starbucks
The plaintiffs in putative class litigation alleging inaccurate wage statements and denial of required meal breaks have filed a motion for preliminary approval of a class action settlement brought against Starbucks in 2008. York v. Starbucks Corp., No. 08-7919 (C.D. Cal., W. Div., motion filed May 10, 2013). Without admitting liability, the company has apparently agreed…
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Court Allows Third Amended Complaint in Suit Claiming HFCS Is Not “Natural”
A federal court in California has granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss filed by General Mills in litigation alleging that certain of its Nature Valley® products are deceptively labeled and advertised as “natural” because they contain sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), high-maltose corn syrup or maltodextrin and…
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Court Decides What Makes Yogurt Yogurt
A federal court in New York has dismissed putative class claims filed against Dannon Co., alleging that its Activia® yogurt products are not actually yogurt because they contain filler products including milk protein concentrate (MPC), an ingredient that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) purportedly prohibits from use in yogurt. Conroy v. The Dannon Co.,…
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SCOTUS Declines Review of Contaminated Pet Food Claims
The U.S. Supreme Court has denied the request to review a Washington appeals court dismissal of claims filed by a man who alleged that contaminated pet food caused his cat’s death. Earl v. Menu Foods Income Fund, Inc., No. 12-1083 (U.S., cert. denied May 13, 2013). According to a news source, the defendant had recalled…