Category: Issue 573
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U.K. Group Issues Report Critical of Government Action on Sugar
Britain’s Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has published a report condemning government policies aimed at reducing the consumption of sugar. “Just as fat seems to have been given an amnesty, so sugar is now in the dock,” according to report co-authors Rob Lyons and Christopher Snowdon. “So what exactly is the evidence that sugar is…
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Mentos® Gum Packages Are Slack-Filled, Proposed Class Action Alleges
A group of consumers has filed a putative class action against Perfetti Van Melle USA alleging that the packaging of its Mentos® sugar-free gum contains non-functional slack fill, which amounts to unfair business practices. Hu v. Perfetti Van Melle USA Inc., No. 15-3742 (E.D.N.Y., filed June 26, 2015). The gum is sold as packages of…
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Kraft “Natural” Fat-Free Cheese Challenged in Puerto Rico Court
A consumer has filed a putative class action against Kraft Foods Group Inc. alleging that the company’s fat-free cheese is mislabeled as “natural” because it contains artificial or synthetic ingredients, including “artificial color.” Quiñones-Gonzalez v. Kraft Foods Grp., Inc., No. 15-1892 (D.P.R., filed July 27, 2015). The plaintiff asserts that she relied on the “natural”…
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San Francisco SSB Statute Violates First Amendment, Industry Lawsuit Argues
The American Beverage Association (ABA) has partnered with California retail and advertising associations to challenge San Francisco ordinances requiring warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) advertisements and prohibiting advertisements of such products on city property. Am. Beverage Ass’n v. City of San Francisco, No. 15-3415 (N.D. Cal., filed July 24, 2015). ABA argues that the ordinances…
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California Court Dismisses Labeling Claims from Cup Noodles® Trans Fat Dispute
A California federal court has dismissed claims challenging the trans fats labeling of Nissin Foods Co. Inc.’s Cup Noodles® but allowed to continue allegations that the use of partially hydrogenated oil (PHO) violates California law. Guttmann v. Nissin Foods (U.S.A.) Co., Inc., No. 15-0567 (N.D. Cal., order entered July 15, 2015). The plaintiff challenged the…
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Putative “Handmade”-Labeling Class Action Dismissed Against Maker’s Mark
A California federal court has dismissed a putative class action against Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc. alleging that its whiskey is mislabeled as “handmade” because it uses machines to produce the product. Nowrouzi v. Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc., No. 14-2885 (S.D. Cal., order entered July 27, 2015). Additional information about the complaint appears in Issue 548…
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FDA Extends Comment Period for Risk Assessment of Animal Drug Residues in Milk
Citing stakeholder concerns over insufficient time to develop meaningful submissions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended by 90 days the period in which to submit comments about the agency’s risk assessment titled, “Multicriteria-Based Ranking Model for Risk Management of Animal Drug Residues in Milk and Milk Products.” FDA seeks suggestions for improving…
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Labeling Small Amounts of Nutrients, Dietary Ingredients Subject of FDA Draft Guidance
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance for industry about the agency’s current thinking regarding the disclosure of small amounts of nutrients and dietary ingredients on nutrition labeling. The document focuses on how the agency intends to use its enforcement discretion when a conflict occurs between compliance with § 101.9(c) and §…