Category: Issue 490
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Article Questions Effect of Artificial Sweeteners on Metabolic Conditions
A recent opinion piece published in Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism has suggested that artificial sweetener consumption increases the risk of certain health outcomes, including “excessive weight gain, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.” Susan Swithers, “Artificial sweeteners produce the counterintuitive effect of inducing metabolic derangements,” Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, July 2013. Authored…
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Drug-Resistant Bacteria Allegedly Linked to Industrial Farm Workers
A recent study examining the prevalence of methicillin and multidrug resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA and MDRSA) among farm workers has reported that livestock-associated strains of both bacteria were present only in individuals employed at “industrial livestock operations” (ILOs) and not those employed at “antibiotic-free livestock operations” (AFLOs). Jessica Rinsky, et al., “Livestock-Associated Methicillin and Multidrug…
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Atlantic Article Questions “Regulating Sugar Like Alcohol”
Recapitulating the neuroendocrinologist Robert Lustig’s arguments for regulating sugar based on its alleged ubiquity, toxicity, addictiveness and “negative impact on society,” a recent article in The Atlantic considers whether the sweetener meets these four criteria for government intervention. According to staff writer Megan Garber, Lustig in a June 29, 2013, interview at the Aspen Ideas…
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Advertising Standards Board Upholds Two Complaints over Cereal Bar Commercials
The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has announced that the Australian Advertising Standards Board (ASB) has upheld its complaints alleging that TV commercials for Kellogg Co.’s LCM® cereal bars violated the Responsible Children’s Marketing Initiative (RCMI). According to OPC, the two advertisements in question were directed primarily toward children but failed to promote “a healthy dietary…
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Rudd Center Study Targets Food and Beverage Ads on Children’s Websites
Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity has published a paper criticizing the use of food and beverage advertising on websites directed at children. A.E. Ustjanauskas, et al., “Food and beverage advertising on children’s web sites,” Pediatric Obesity, July 2013. Using data provided by comScore, researchers evaluated a total of 3.4 billion food…
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Australian Court Rules “Free to Roam” Chicken Producer Claims False
A federal court in Australia has determined that processors advertising their chickens as “free to roam” on packaging and in advertisements and publications were liable to mislead the public as to the nature and characteristics of the product. Australian Competition & Consumer Comm’n v. Turi Foods Pty. Ltd., (No. 4) [2013] FCA 665 (Fed. Ct.…
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Wrongful Death Action Filed Against Monster Beverage
A woman who claims that her 19-year-old son died as a result of consuming at least two 16-oz. cans of Monster Energy® drinks every day for three years has filed a survival and wrongful death action against the company. Morris v. Monster Beverage Corp., RG1368528 (Cal. Super. Ct., Alameda Cty., filed June 25, 2013). According…
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Naked Juice to Pay $9 Million to Resolve False Ad Suit
Naked Juice Co. has agreed to settle putative class claims that it falsely advertised some of its juice and smoothie products as “all natural” and not genetically modified (GMO); while denying the allegations, the company will establish a $9 million settlement fund. Pappas v. Naked Juice Co. of Glendora, Inc., No. 11-8276 (C.D. Cal., motion…