Category: Issue 542
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Study Links Thermal Receipt Paper to BPA Levels in Humans
A recent study has purportedly found that “a very large amount of BPA [bisphenol A] is transferred from thermal paper to a hand as a result of holding a thermal receipt for only a few seconds immediately after using a product with dermal penetration chemicals.” Annette Hormann, et al., “Holding Thermal Receipt Paper and Eating…
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Center for Food Safety Questions “Organic” Ocean-Based Fish Farms
The Center for Food Safety (CFS) has issued a report challenging the proposed organic aquaculture production regulations under consideration by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Titled Like Water and Oil: Ocean-Based Fish Farming and Organic Don’t Mix, the report argues that USDA should reject proposed standards that would allegedly dilute the value of organic certification…
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JBF Food Conference Agenda Highlights Impact of Sugar Consumption on Health
The James Beard Foundation has organized its fifth annual food conference around the theme of “Health & Food: Is Better Food the Prescription for a Healthier America?” The October 27-28, 2014, event in New York City will reportedly provide attendees a “better sense of actual health trends … and what solution-oriented food-system leaders and the medical…
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Pew/CSPI Report Calls on USDA to Modernize Meat Inspection
The Pew Charitable Trusts and Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) have released an October 2014 report urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reevaluate its current meat and poultry inspection system. Seeking to identify innovations that could better protect consumers, Meat and Poultry Inspection 2.0 compares U.S. regulations to those used in…
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“Flavor Infringement” Claim by Rival’s Italian Restaurant Is “Half-Baked”
A Texas federal court has rejected the argument that the founders of Gina’s Italian Kitchen infringed New York Pizzeria, Inc.’s (NYPI’s) trademark flavor in its Italian dishes. New York Pizzeria, Inc. v. Syal, No. 13-335 (U.S. Dist. Ct., S.D. Tex., order entered October 20, 2014). NYPI alleged that its former vice president and his business…
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Settlement Approved in “Low-Glycemic,” “Low-Carbohydrate” Pasta Class Action
Under a settlement agreement approved by a New Jersey federal court, Dakota Growers Pasta Co. will pay $7.9 million to resolve claims that it deceptively markets, advertises and sells Dreamfields Pasta as having a low glycemic index and only five grams of digestible carbohydrates per serving, making it a “healthy alternative to traditional pasta.” Mirakay…
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Court Approves $6.5 Million Settlement in Race-Discrimination Lawsuit Against Grocery Chain
An Arizona federal court has preliminarily approved a settlement in a lawsuit alleging that Bashas’ Inc. paid Hispanic workers less than comparable non-Hispanic workers from 1998 to 2007 in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Parra v. Bashas’ Inc., No. 2-591 (D. Ariz., order entered October 21, 2014). The plaintiffs…
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FDA Agrees to Finalize GRAS Rule by August 2016
According to a proposed consent decree filed in a D.C. district court, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will “submit a final rule regarding ‘Substances Generally Recognized as Safe’ [GRAS] to the Federal Register for publication no later than August 31, 2016.” Ctr. for Food Safety v. Burwell, No. 14-0267 (U.S. Dist. Ct., D.D.C.,…