Category: Issue 505
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San Francisco Supervisors Issue Second Proposal for SSB Tax
San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar has reportedly unveiled a proposal for a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) similar to one released in late October by Supervisor Scott Weiner. Both proposals target SSB distributors, both impose a 2-cents-per-ounce tax and both reportedly expect to raise $30 million annually to fund health and nutrition programs to combat…
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Two Hawaiian Counties Tighten Restrictions on Biotech Companies, GM Crops
Two Hawaiian counties have reportedly passed legislation designed to tighten regulations on biotech companies and the planting of genetically modified (GM) crops. After delaying the ballot to appoint a new member as a replacement for Nadine Nakamura, who vacated her seat to become Mayor Bernard Carvalho’s managing director, the Kauai County Council apparently voted 5-2…
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OEHHA Changes Listing Basis for Chemicals Added to Prop. 65 List in 1987
California EPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has changed the basis for listing 1,2-dibromo-3 chloropropane (DBCP), an agricultural fumigant that persists in groundwater despite being banned from use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1979. “Based on changes to certain federal regulations that affect the bases for the original listings, OEHHA has…
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ASA Finds “Prices May Vary” Language Misleading
The U.K. Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has upheld a complaint claiming that a TV advertisement with a “prices may vary” disclaimer was misleading because the complainant was unable to purchase the product for the stated price. Created by Kentucky Fried Chicken (Great Britain) Ltd. (KFC), the commercial in question indicated that families could “save a…
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FDA Extends Comment Periods for Proposed FSMA Rules
Due to the recent government shutdown, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the public comment period for several proposed rules related to the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). FDA has extended the deadline for comments on (i) “Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Rule:…
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FDA Food Recalls by Unit Double in Third Quarter
According to data recently issued by Stericycle Expert Solutions, the number of food recalls documented by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during the third quarter (Q3) of 2013 declined 14 percent compared to the previous quarter. Of the foods recalled, 44 percent, an increase of 8 percent from the previous quarter, were classified as…
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FDA Issues Second FERN Report
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued the “Second BiennialReport to Congress on the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN)” as required under Section 202(b) of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Administered by FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), “FERN is an integrated, secure laboratory system for…
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Senators Question Use of Toys to Market Energy Drinks
U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Rockefeller (D-W.V.), and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) have written a letter to Rockstar, Inc. CEO Russell Weiner, questioning the energy drink company’s relationship with Ronin Syndicate, the manufacturer of remote-controlled toys crossed-branded with the Rockstar logo. Responding to consumer complaints on social media sites, the senators pointed to…