Category: Issue 513
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Trader Joe’s Agrees to Settle “All Natural” False Ad Claims
A federal court in California has preliminarily approved a $3.375 million settlement of class-action claims that Trader Joe’s misled consumers throughout the United States by selling a number of food products with “All Natural” labels despite the presence of synthetic or artificial ingredients. Larsen v. Trader Joe’s Co., No. 11-5188 (N.D. Cal., order entered February 6,…
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Single-Serve Coffee Maker Alleges Unfair Competition in Market
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. has filed an antitrust and unfair competition lawsuit against Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. and Keurig, Inc., alleging that they have undertaken a series of unlawful practices that have allowed them to dominate the single-serve coffee market, despite the expiration of their “K-Cup” patents in 2012. TreeHouse Foods, Inc. v. Green Mountain…
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Court Allows Claims Against Guacamole Maker to Proceed
A federal court in California has denied the motion to dismiss filed by guacamole maker Yucatan Foods, L.P. in a putative class action alleging violations of labeling laws based on the company’s use of “evaporated cane juice” instead of “sugar” on product labels. Swearingen v. Yucatan Foods, L.P., No. 13-3544 (N.D. Cal., order entered February…
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Ad Watchdog Censures “French Beer” Brewed in UK
The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld two complaints alleging that Heineken UK Ltd.’s print and TV advertisements gave the impression that its Kronenbourg 1664 beer was brewed in France and made primarily from French hops, despite text disclaimers stating that the product was “Brewed in the UK.” According to the February 12, 2014,…
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Agency Reportedly Lacks Resources to Implement FSMA
Testifying before the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee on February 5, 2014, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine Michael Taylor said that, while the agency has enough resources to issue the final rules for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), it lacks the resources to implement…
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HHS Announces Upcoming DGAC Web Meeting
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture have announced a March 4, 2014, public meeting of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC). Accessible by webcast only, meeting agenda items include topic-specific presentations from guest experts; a review of committee work since the last public meeting; and future…
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TTB Updates Gluten Content Labeling Policy
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has issued a revised interim policy on gluten content statements permitted in wine, distilled spirits and malt beverage labeling and advertising. TTB took the action after reviewing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) final rule on the use of “gluten-free”…
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OSHA Issues Rule on FSMA Whistleblower Protections
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an interim final rule to establish procedures for handling retaliation complaints brought by whistleblowers who gained new protections under section 402 of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Effective on February 13, 2014, the interim rule establishes procedures and time frames applicable to retaliation complaints,…