Category: Issue 491
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Putative Class Claims Truvia® Falsely Advertised as “Natural”
A Hawaii resident has filed a putative nationwide class action against Cargill, Inc., alleging that the company falsely advertises its Truvia® sweetener product as “natural” when it is actually made from ingredients that are “either synthetic or harshly chemically processed.” Howerton v. Cargill, Inc., No. 13-0336 (D. Haw., filed July 8, 2013). According to the…
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Court Dismisses Certain Claims Against Yogurt Maker
A federal court in California has dismissed some of the consumer fraud claims filed against Chobani, Inc. in putative class litigation alleging that the company mislabels its yogurts as containing “evaporated cane juice,” misleads consumers by stating that its products do not contain added sugar and falsely states that its products are “all natural” because…
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Court Dismisses Consumer Fraud Claims Against Soy Yogurt Maker
A federal court in California has dismissed without prejudice a putative class action alleging that Wholesoy & Co. misleads consumers by (i) listing “organic evaporated cane juice” instead of “sugar” or “dried cane syrup” as an ingredient on its soy yogurt products in violation of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling rules, and (ii) marketing…
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ASA Upholds Complaint Claiming Beer Ad Condoned Alcohol Consumption at Football Stadium
The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld two complaints alleging that a recent advertisement for Heineken beer “condoned or encouraged the consumption of alcohol in a football stadium within sight of the pitch, which was an illegal activity,” and “condoned or encouraged people to take glass bottles into a football stadium, which was not…
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UK Government Rejects Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcoholic Beverages
The U.K. Home Office has issued its response to a public consultation on its alcohol strategy, laying out a number of new measures but stopping short of instituting a scheme that would have priced alcoholic beverages per unit of alcohol. Under the new strategy, the government has vowed, among other things, to (i) take action…
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Canada Seeks Information on Phthalates for Priority Assessment
Environment Canada has issued a notice directing manufacturers and importers to provide information about their use of phthalates in food and beverage contact materials, among other consumer products. According to the July 13, 2013, announcement in the Canada Gazette, the government has identified more than 30 phthalate substances for priority assessment under its Chemicals Management…
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EFSA to Complete Draft Opinion on Acrylamide in 2014
Responding to a request from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has announced plans to complete a draft scientific opinion on acrylamide by mid-2014 using “hundreds of scientific studies” as well as new data from food business operators, consumer organizations and other stakeholders. According to a July 15, 2013, news release, EFSA’s Panel…
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FDA Seeks Information on Salmonella Risk from Tree Nuts
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a request for comments, scientific data and information to use in risk assessment of human salmonellosis associated with the consumption of tree nuts, including almonds, cashews, pistachios, pine nuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, and walnuts. The risk assessment seeks to quantify the public health risk associated with…