Category: Issue 605
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NAS Report Finds No Evidence of Human Health Risk from GE Crops
The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NAS) has published a report finding “no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between currently commercialized genetically engineered (GE) crops and conventionally bred crops, nor did it find conclusive cause-and-effect evidence of environmental problems from the GE crops.” Authored by the NAS Committee…
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Proposed Class Action Challenges Alleged Slack-Fill in “Go-Paks”
A consumer has filed a putative class action against Mondelez International Inc. alleging the company’s “Go-Paks,” packages of “mini” or “bite” versions of Nabisco cookie and cracker products, contain more than 25 percent slack-fill in violation of California law. Bush v. Mondelez Int’l Inc., No. 16-2460 (N.D. Cal., filed May 5, 2016). The “Go-Paks,” including Mini…
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CSPI Targets Cheez-Its® in False Advertising Suit
A class of consumers in New York and California, represented by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), has brought suit in the Eastern District of New York seeking restitution, actual and punitive damages, and injunctive relief against the Kellogg Co. for allegedly misbranding its Cheez-It® “Whole Grain” snack crackers. The complaint alleges…
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Oregon Court Strikes Down GMO Crops Ban
An Oregon state court has invalidated a local ban on cultivating genetically modified organisms (GMOs), holding that the ordinance contradicts state law preventing local anti-GMO rules. White v. Josephine Cty., No. 15-23592 (Ore. Cir. Ct., Josephine Cty., order entered May 16, 2016). The plaintiff challenged the law after he rented land within Josephine County then…
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Court Refuses to Invalidate San Francisco SSB-Warning Law
A California federal court has denied the American Beverage Association’s (ABA’s) attempt to preliminarily enjoin the enforcement of a law requiring manufacturers of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to provide a warning about the alleged health risks associated with SSB consumption. Am. Beverage Ass’n v. City of San Francisco, No. 15-3415 (N.D. Cal., order entered May 17,…
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Health Canada Approves GE Salmon
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have determined that AquAdvantage Salmon “is as safe and nutritious for humans and livestock as conventional salmon.” Approving the genetically engineered (GE) salmon for sale in Canada, the two agencies cited a similar decision issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November 2015. “Health Canada…
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Proposed Legislation Would Modernize Alcoholic Beverage Laws in New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) has proposed legislation that would revise the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (Blue Laws) to modernize the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in New York state. The new rules would also consolidate licensing and reduce “burdensome fees for wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries statewide.” In particular, the legislation would (i) lift…
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FDA Revises Food Labels to Reflect Added Sugars, New Portion Sizes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced revisions to the Nutrition Facts label designed to emphasize “the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease.” In addition to highlighting calories, servings per container and serving-size declarations through a combination of increased type size and boldface, the new labels will…