Category: Issue 502
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Court Narrows Labeling Claims Against Frito-Lay
A federal court in California has significantly narrowed the consumer-fraud claims that may be asserted against Frito-Lay involving a number of its snack products labeled as “All Natural,” “0 Grams Trans Fat” and “No MSG.” Wilson v. Frito-Lay N. Am., Inc., No. 12-1586 (N.D. Cal., order entered October 24, 2013). All claims dismissed were with prejudice.…
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Mexico Senate Passes Tax on Soft Drinks
Mexican lawmakers have reportedly approved a 1 peso-per-liter tax (US 23 cents) on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and an 8 percent tax on junk food. The controversial legislation, which aims to curb rising obesity levels, was approved in a 73-50 vote and is expected to take effect January 1, 2014. According to news sources, Mexico, whose…
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FDA Warns Licorice May Cause Heart Trouble
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a statement cautioning people older than age 40 about eating too much black licorice—2 ounces per day for two weeks. FDA experts explain that black licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a sweetening compound that can cause the body’s potassium levels to plummet, leading to an irregular heart rhythm,…
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FDA Issues Report on Pathogens in Imported Spices
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a draft of its spice risk report, which calls attention to the most common microbial hazards and filth in imported spices, along with possible sources of contamination. The report, “Pathogens and Filth in Spices,” also evaluates current mitigation techniques, recommends options and identifies research needs and data…
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FDA Seeks to Regulate Animal Food
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule that would establish current good manufacturing practice (CGMP), hazard analysis and risk-based preventative controls for animal food. According to an October 29, 2013, Federal Register notice, FDA is taking this action to provide greater assurance that animal food is safe and will not…
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District Court Refuses to Stay FSMA Rulemaking Deadlines
Three days after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filed a motion for emergency stay pending appeal before the Ninth Circuit, the federal district court that had established November 30, 2013, as the deadline for the agency to publish notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for specific food safety rules under the Food Safety Modernization…