Category: Issue 514
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Impact of SSB Taxes on Employment Disputed in New Study
Researchers with the University of Illinois, Chicago, Institute for Health Research and Policy have published a study allegedly concluding that, contrary to industry claims, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes “do not have a negative impact on state-level employment.” Lisa Powell, et al., “Employment Impact of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes,” American Journal of Public Health, February 2014. Using a…
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Katy Steinmetz, “Soda Wars Bubble Up Across the Country,” Time, Feb. 20, 2014
“Soda and other sugary drinks are popping up on city and state dockets across the nation, as lawmakers attempt to curb America’s consumption of certain beverages,” writes Time reporter Katy Steinmetz in this February 20, 2014, article summarizing recent campaigns to limit sales of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and energy drinks while raising revenue for government-backed…
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CSPI to Host Food Labeling Discussion
Public health watchdog the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has announced a February 26, 2014, meeting at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to discuss ways of improving the next generation of nutrition facts labels. NPR News correspondent Allison Aubrey is slated to moderate the panel with participants CSPI Executive Director Michael…
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Advocate Calls for Add-Ons to Sugary Beverage Taxes
Drawing on lessons from tobacco regulation, Temple University Associate Professor Jennifer Pomeranz has authored an article recommending that state and local governments which opt to impose taxes on sugary beverages consider also adopting measures such as minimum price laws and prohibitions on price discounting and coupons to effectively deter consumption. Titled “Sugary Tax Policy: Lessons…
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Law Prof Urges Partial Repeal of NLEA
Associate Law Professor Diana Winters argues in “The Magical Thinking of Food Labeling: The NLEA as a Failed Statute” that those parts of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) regulating “health claims” and “nutrient content claims” have been ineffective at addressing obesity and should be repealed. While Winters acknowledges that leaving this…
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Preliminary Approval Given to Quaker Oats “Trans Fat” Settlement
A federal court in California has preliminarily approved the settlement of class claims that Quaker Oats violated consumer protection laws by labeling its snack bars and instant cereal products as “wholesome” with “0g Trans Fat” when they actually contain “unhealthy” ingredients, such as partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHOs). In re Quaker Oats Labeling Litig., No.…
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Nutrition Bar Class Cannot Be Ascertained, Court Refuses to Certify It
A federal court in California has denied the plaintiff’s request to certify a class of those who purchased ZonePerfect Nutrition bars relying on allegedly deceptive labels representing the products as “All Natural.” Sethavanish v. ZonePerfect Nutrition Co., No. 12-2907 (N.D. Cal., order entered February 13, 2014). The court found that the plaintiff set forth sufficient…
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NLRB Judge Rules Grocery Chain’s Arb. Agreements Violate Labor Law
A National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) judge has determined that Sprouts Farmers Market violated federal labor law by requiring employees to sign mutual binding arbitration agreements (MAAs) that preclude class or collective-action claims in arbitration or otherwise as a condition of hiring and continued employment. SF Mkts, LLC d/b/a Sprouts Farmers Mkt., Nos. 21-CA- 099065,…