Category: Issue 590
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Researchers Discuss Tools for Assessing Food Addiction
A research article examining the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) and Palatable Motives Eating Scale (PEMS) has concluded that together these tools “offer a rigorous way to evaluate whether an addictive process contributes to certain eating disorders, such as obesity and binge eating.” Jose Manuel Lerma-Cabrera, et al., “Food addiction as a new piece of…
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Warning Labels Linked to Reduction in SSB Purchases
A new study suggests that warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) could dissuade parents from purchasing these products for children. Christina A. Roberto, et al., “The Influence of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Health Warning Labels on Parents’ Choices,” Pediatrics, February 2016. Based on research involving tobacco warning labels, the study aimed to determine if SSB warning labels…
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Grocers File Another Tuna Price-Fixing Lawsuit
Three major grocers—Albertsons Companies, Hy-Vee and The Kroger Co.—have reportedly filed a lawsuit against three tuna companies alleging they conspired to fix prices of canned tuna. The companies join other grocers and consumers in pursuing damages from Tri-Union Seafoods, Starkist and Bumble Bee Foods for alleged price fixing, a practice the plaintiffs argue began in…
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Potato Trademark Dispute Centers on “Buttery Homestyle” Name
Idahoan Foods LLC has filed a lawsuit against Basic American Inc. alleging the company’s line of potato products marketed under the name “Buttery Home-Style” infringes on Idahoan’s rights to “Buttery Homestyle,” its brand of potato products. Idahoan Foods LLC v. Basic Am. Inc., No. 16-0005 (D. Idaho, filed January 6, 2016). Idahoan’s trademark application to…
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Dannon, Chobani Dispute Yogurt Ads
Chobani has filed a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment that its advertisements claiming competitor Dannon’s yogurt contains chlorine are not false or misleading, prompting Dannon to file a counterclaim seeking a preliminary injunction. Chobani v. The Dannon Co., Inc., No. 16-0030 (N.D.N.Y., complaint filed January 8, 2016, counterclaim filed January 11, 2016). Chobani’s complaint details…
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Soy Fiber Food Additive Too Obvious for Patent, Appeals Court Confirms
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has affirmed a Patent Trial and Appeal Board ruling that a method of enzymatic hydrolysis of soy fiber for use in creating food additives is not patentable because it would have been obvious in light of previous inventions. In re Urbanski, No. 15-1272 (Fed. Cir., order…
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Duck Dynasty Infringement Case Dismissed Despite “Needlessly Offensive” Jurisdictional Argument
A Kentucky federal court has granted a motion to dismiss an action against the owner of Duck Dynasty trademarks alleging infringement based on jurisdictional issues. Chinook USA v. Duck Commander, Inc., No. 14-1015 (W.D. Ky., Louisville Div., order entered January 8, 2015). In 2014, Duck Commander licensed the rights to several trademarks related to Duck…
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Second Circuit Dismisses Kellogg “Great Ideas” Online Portal Suit
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has affirmed a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit against Kellogg Co. alleging the company owed a man compensation after it implemented an idea for a portable breakfast the man had submitted through the company’s online portal for innovative ideas. Wilson v. Kellogg Co., No. 15-2237…