Category: Issue 547
-
Study Examines Estrogenic Chemicals Purportedly Released by BPA-Free Thermoplastic Resins
A study led by University of California, Davis, toxicologist Michael Denison and CertiChem, Inc. founder George Bittner has allegedly found that some hard, clear thermoplastic resins made without bisphenol A (BPA) still release chemicals with estrogenic activity (EA). George Bittner, et al., “Chemicals having estrogenic activity can be released from some bisphenol a-free, hard and…
-
New CSPI Report Targets Sodium Levels in U.S. Chain Restaurant Foods
Citing the role of excess dietary sodium in the development of cardiovascular disease and industry resistance to federal action mandating reductions, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) this week issued a report claiming that the top 25 U.S. restaurant chains have failed to lower the amount of sodium in nearly 3,000 menu…
-
Pew Report Reviews Animal Antibiotic Labeling Under New FDA Policy
The Pew Charitable Trusts Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming has published an issue brief concluding that gaps in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) guidance for antibiotic use in livestock have allowed “some injudicious practices to persist.” Released in December 2013, FDA Guidance for Industry #213 aims to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by…
-
Breyers “All Natural” Putative Class Action Dropped
A putative class action alleging that Conopco Inc., a subsidiary of Unilever United States, mislabeled Breyers ice cream as “all natural” has been voluntarily dismissed with prejudice. Jefferson v. Conopco, No. L-7025-14 (Super. Ct. N.J., Bergen Cty., stipulation of voluntary dismissal filed December 1, 2014). The plaintiff alleged that Breyers’ use of cocoa processed with…
-
Settlement Reached in Jamba Juice “All Natural” Smoothie Kits Class Action
After a California federal court certified the class for liability but not for damages, the parties to a class action alleging that Jamba Juice mislabeled its smoothie kits as “all natural” despite containing synthetic ingredients like gelatin and xanthan gum have reached a settlement. Lilly v. Jamba Juice Co., No. 13-2998 (U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D.…
-
Court Details Dismissal of Olive Oil Owners from False-Labeling Class Action
After granting a motion for summary judgment in favor of Kangadis Food Inc.’s (KFI’s) owners, a New York federal court has issued an order further explaining its decision to dismiss the owners from a false-labeling class action. Ebin v. Kangadis Family Mgmt. LLC, No. 14-1324 (S.D.N.Y., order entered December 1, 2014). Additional information about the initial…
-
Court Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging FDA’s Inaction on Mercury Labeling
A federal court has granted summary judgment for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a lawsuit brought by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and Mercury Policy Project (MPP) alleging that the agency has egregiously delayed a response to the organizations’ 2011 petition urging FDA to require the labeling of…
-
EFSA Responds to “Urgent Request” for Avian Flu Advice
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has launched a risk assessment in response to the European Commission’s urgent request for scientific advice on the H5N8 avian influenza A virus detected in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Focusing on the role of wild birds as vectors, EFSA plans to release a December 2014 report…