Category: Issue 582
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Long-Chain Fatty Acids Allegedly Linked to Autoimmune Disease Severity
An animal study has reportedly suggested that dietary long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) can increase the severity of chronic inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Aiden Haghikia, et al., “Dietary Fatty Acids Directly Impact Central Nervous System Autoimmunity via the Small Intestine,” Immunity, October 2015. Using murine cell cultures and experimental models, researchers evidently showed that…
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Plum Organics to Change Product Names in Response to CSPI’s Litigation Threat
Baby food manufacturer Plum Organics has agreed to adjust its products’ names to more accurately reflect their contents in light of threatened litigation from consumer group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). CSPI contended Plum’s products misleadingly featured names highlighting their “healthful, high-value ingredients, such as kale, quinoa, blueberries, and green beans,” but…
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Proposed “All Natural” Class Action Filed Against Weber® BBQ Sauce Maker
A Massachusetts consumer has filed a putative class action against ACH Food Companies, Inc., manufacturer of Weber® BBQ Sauces, alleging the company misleadingly markets its products as “All Natural” despite containing caramel coloring. Demmler v. ACH Food Cos., Inc., No. 15-13556 (D. Mass., filed October 13, 2015). The complaint asserts that under Massachusetts and federal…
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Finnish Market Court Sides with Icelandic Company in “Skyr” Spat
The Finnish Market Court has reportedly backed MS Iceland Dairies in a legal dispute with Arla Foods over the sale of skyr dairy products in Finland. According to media reports, the court ruled that “skyr” is not a generic term for a yogurt-like cultured dairy product, but rather a specific trademark for a product made…
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Jury Awards $240,000 to Muslim Workers Fired for Refusal to Transport Beer
A jury has awarded two Muslim men $240,000 after they were fired from Star Transport Inc. for refusing to transport beer because of their religious beliefs. EEOC v. Star Transport Inc., No. 13-1240 (C.D. Ill., jury verdict submitted October 21, 2015). Each man will receive $20,000 for mental or emotional pain and $100,000 in punitive…
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Subway to Measure Sandwiches Under Proposed Settlement Agreement
Subway has reached a settlement agreement in a case alleging its “footlong” sandwiches were not 12 inches in length. In re Subway Footlong Sandwich Mktg. & Sales Practices Litig., MDL No. 2439 (E.D. Wis., settlement agreement filed September 29, 2015). Under the agreement, Subway will require its franchisees to “use a tool for measuring bread…
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Whole Foods Reaches Settlement in Coupon Tax Dispute
Whole Foods Market Group and a consumer have reached a settlement agreement in a lawsuit alleging the company defrauded customers by calculating and adding sales tax to purchases before deducting any discounts from coupons. Wong v. Whole Foods Mkt. Grp., No. 15-0848 (N.D. Ill., stipulation filed October 12, 2015). The parties filed a joint stipulation…
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Federal Court Approves Beck’s® False Advertising Settlement
A Florida federal court has given final approval to the settlement agreement in a lawsuit alleging Anheuser-Busch falsely advertised its Beck’s® beer as imported even though it was manufactured in St. Louis, Mo. Marty v. Anheuser-Busch Cos., LLC, No. 13-23656 (S.D. Fla., approval entered October 20, 2015). Under the agreement, Anheuser-Busch will offer refunds in several…