Category: Issue 613
-
NAP Issues Report Targeting Potential Relationship Between Chemical Exposures and Obesity
The National Academies Press (NAP) has published a report summarizing a March 2015 workshop held by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on The Interplay Between Environmental Chemical Exposures and Obesity. The report summarizes both animal model and human epidemiological studies allegedly linking exposure to environmental chemicals “to weight gain and to glucose…
-
USPTO Denies “World’s Healthiest Grocery Store” Registration to Whole Foods
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has rejected Whole Foods Market’s attempt to trademark the phrase “World’s Healthiest Grocery Store,” finding the statement to be merely descriptive and puffery. The company currently owns a trademark in “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store,” which it reportedly earned by using the mark in commerce for several years before registration.…
-
Hampton Creek Paid Employees to Purchase Just Mayo During Funding Round
Hampton Creek founder Josh Tetrick reportedly directed his employees to purchase Just Mayo, an eggless mayonnaise, at grocery stores while it pursued funding from investors, according to a Bloomberg report. Five former workers provided Bloomberg with receipts, expense reports, cash advances and emails telling employees, “We need you in Safeway buying Just Mayo and our…
-
Topps Alleges “Squeezy Squirt Pop” Infringes Patent
The Topps Co. has filed a patent and trade-dress infringement lawsuit against Koko’s Confectionery & Novelty Inc. alleging that Koko’s Squeezy Squirt Pop copies some features of the Juicy Drop lollipop. Topps Co. v. Koko’s Confectionery & Novelty Inc., No. 16-0595 (S.D.N.Y., filed July 26, 2016). The complaint targets Squeezy Squirt Pop’s logo, font, bright…
-
Drew’s “All Natural” Dressings Contain Synthetic Ingredients, Putative Class Alleges
A consumer has filed a projected class action against Drew’s LLC, maker of Drew’s salad dressings and marinades, alleging the company misrepresents its products as “all natural” because they contain xanthan gum, disodium phosphate, lactic acid and citric acid. Haack v. Drew’s LLC, No. 16-6022 (S.D.N.Y., filed July 28, 2016). The complaint cites draft guidance…
-
Projected Class Action Targets Barilla for Pasta Slack Fill
Four consumers have filed a putative class action against Barilla S.p.A. alleging the company sells its specialty pasta and standard pasta products in nearly identical boxes but underfills the specialty boxes, amounting to unpermitted slack fill. Berni v. Barilla S.p.A., No. 4196 (E.D.N.Y., filed July 28, 2016). In addition to its traditional pasta products, Barilla…
-
WLF Files Amicus Brief Urging Ninth Circuit to Strike San Francisco SSB Warning Law
The Washington Legal Foundation (WLF) has filed an amicus brief with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals arguing the court should enjoin a San Francisco statute requiring advertisements of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to disclose health warnings related to their consumption. Am. Beverage Assoc. v. City of San Francisco, Nos. 16-16072 and 16-16073 (9th Cir., amicus…