Category: Issue 521
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Injunctive Relief Class Certified in Twinings Tea “Antioxidants” Suit
A federal court in California has certified a statewide class of those who purchased Twinings North America’s green, black and white tea products labeled as a “Natural Source of Antioxidants.” Lanovaz v. Twinings N. Am., Inc., No. 12-2646 (N.D. Cal., order entered April 24, 2014). Details about a previous ruling narrowing the claims appear in…
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Court Rules Plaintiff Cannot Prove HFCS Caused Teen’s Type 2 Diabetes
A federal court in New York has dismissed an amended complaint filed against high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) manufacturers, alleging that the HFCS in foods and beverages, such as McDonald’s hamburger buns and Pepsi, was a substantial factor in causing a 14-year-old girl to develop Type 2 diabetes. S.F. v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., No. 13-634, decided April 21,…
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OEHHA Takes Action on Genistein and Warnings Revisions
California EPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has determined that the evidence is insufficient to proceed with the Proposition 65 listing process for genistein, a constituent of soy infant formula. Under the state’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65) regulations, to identify the reproductive toxicity endpoint, “it is…
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Vermont Passes GM Labeling Legislation
Vermont lawmakers have reportedly passed the nation’s first state bill (H.B. 112) to require mandatory labeling of foods made with genetically modified (GM) ingredients. Passed in the Vermont House of Representatives, 114-30, and in the state Senate, 28-2, the bill would require foods containing GM ingredients sold in retail outlets to be labeled as either…
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ASA Censures Alcohol Ads Paired with Child-Friendly YouTube Videos
The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint claiming that alcohol ads were shown during YouTube videos intended for children. According to the agency, a series of children’s nursery rhyme videos featured advertisements for liquors sold by Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC (Morrisons) even though both the company and YouTube took action “to prevent alcohol…
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ASA Dismisses Complaint Against Ad Linking Beer Consumption to Cancer
The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has reportedly dismissed a complaint about a controversial National Health Service advertisement showing a tumor growing in the bottom of a beer glass with the tag line “the more often you drink, the more you increase your risk of developing cancer.” Promoted by the alcohol awareness charity Balance and shown in…
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EFSA Opens Public Consultation on Infant Formula Requirements
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has launched a public consultation on its draft scientific opinion determining “the essential composition of infant and infant follow-on formulae.” Drawing on new evidence as well as dietary intake guidelines for infants and young children, the draft opinion addresses requirements for protein, fat, carbohydrates, micronutrients, and other ingredients found…
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Advocacy Group Seeks Ban on Use of Apple Pesticide
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has requested that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) halt the use of a “post harvest growth regulator”—diphenylamine (DPA)—on apples “until a rigorous analysis (re-registration) by EPA of the chemical can prove that it poses a reasonable certainty of no harm to consumers.” EWG cites in support of its request a…