Category: Issue 520
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Cereal Box Characters Allegedly See Eye-to-Eye with Consumers
Researchers with Cornell University and the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity have reportedly found that eye contact with cereal box spokes-characters “increased feelings of trust and connection to the brand, as well as choice of the brand over competitors.” Aviva Musicus, et al., “Eyes in the Aisles: Why is Cap’n Crunch Looking…
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New Research Targets Role of Parental Obesity in Autism Spectrum Disorders
A study examining the link between parental body mass index (BMI) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has reportedly claimed that paternal obesity “is an independent risk factor for ASDs in children.” Pal Suren, et al., “Parental Obesity and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders,” Pediatrics, April 2014. Noting that previous research focused only on the role…
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NRDC Claims GRAS Process Is Flawed
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has issued a report claiming that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) generally recognized as safe (GRAS) process for identifying food additives not required to undergo premarket approval is flawed and calling for legislation to change the process. According to NRDC, minimal FDA supervision and “a gaping loophole…
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Theft of Yogurt Trade Secret Alleged in Chobani Ownership Dispute
The former wife of billionaire Chobani, Inc. CEO Hamdi Ulukaya has alleged that he “boasted on occasions that he had obtained the formula for the Chobani brand of yogurt from [competitor] Fage by bribing a former employee of Fage. He traveled to Europe and bribed this individual with 30,000 Euros.” Giray v. Ulukaya, No. 652838-2012…
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Suit Against Safeway for Failure to Warn of Food Recalls May Proceed
A federal court in California has determined that a consumer case alleging that Safeway was negligent for failing to notify customers of food recalls may proceed. Hensley-MacLean v. Safeway, Inc., No. 11-01230 (N.D. Cal., order entered April 7, 2014). According to the court, Safeway failed to justify a post-sale exception to California’s negligence law, which…
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Court Allows “No Sugar Added” Claims to Proceed
A federal court in California has denied the motion to dismiss putative class claims that Mott’s LLP deceives consumers by placing “No Sugar Added” on its 100% Apple Juice label. Rahman v. Mott’s LLP, No. 13-3482 (N.D. Cal., order entered April 8, 2014). Information about the court’s prior decision dismissing without prejudice most of the…
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ECJ Case Dismissed Following Notice of Pending FDA Review
A federal court in California has granted beverage manufacturer Santa Cruz’s motion to dismiss a putative class action alleging that the “evaporated cane juice” (ECJ) listed on its beverage labels is merely sugar, thus violating the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) required use of an ingredient’s “common or usual name.” Swearingen et al. v. Santa…
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City Council in California Declares Hot Sauce Operations a Public Nuisance
The Irwindale, California, City Council has reportedly voted 4-0 to declare that Huy Fong Foods, the maker of Sriracha hot sauce, is maintaining a public nuisance. If the council adopts an official resolution during its next meeting, the company will have some 90 days to mitigate the odor, blamed by local residents for their burning…