Category: Issue 620
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Putative Class Action Targets Hormel’s “100% Natural,” “No Preservatives” Meat
A consumer has filed a proposed class action against Hormel Foods Corp. alleging the company misrepresents its meat products as natural and free of preservatives despite containing synthetic or genetically modified ingredients, including cultured celery powder, baking powder and maltodextrin. Phelps v. Hormel Foods Corp., No. 16-62411 (S.D. Fla., Ft. Lauderdale Div., filed October 11,…
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Too Much Sugar in Dole Fruit Products, Plaintiff Alleges
A consumer has filed a putative class action against Dole Packaged Foods, LLC alleging the company’s products contain too much added sugar to be labeled as “rich in nutrients” or “healthy.” Amaya v. Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, No. 15-7734 (C.D. Cal., filed October 18, 2016). The complaint first details research connecting added sugar intake to…
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McCormick Black Pepper Slack-Fill Suit to Continue
A D.C. federal court has denied McCormick & Co.’s motion to dismiss a competitor’s lawsuit alleging the company’s black pepper packaging contains too much slack fill. In re McCormick & Co., Inc., Pepper Prods. Mktg. & Sales Practices Litig., No. 15-1825 (D.D.C., order entered October 17, 2016). The lawsuit is part of multidistrict litigation joining…
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Malaysia to Require Food Sellers to Remove “Dog” from Hot Dogs
The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (MIDD) has reportedly ruled that hot dogs cannot be granted halal certification unless they are renamed to remove “dog” from the name. “In Islam, dogs are considered unclean and the name cannot be related to halal certification,” MIDD Director Sirajudden Suhaimee told the BBC. Pretzel franchise Auntie Anne’s was reportedly…
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U.S. and Mexico Announce Organic Trade Partnership
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the National Service for Animal and Plant Health, Food Safety and Quality of Mexico (SENASICA) have announced a joint Organic Compliance Committee to “ensure the integrity of organic products trade between the United States and Mexico.” With implementation of Mexico’s organic regulations slated for 2017,…
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FSIS Clarifies Guidelines on Substantiating Animal Raising Claims
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has updated its guidelines on the documentation needed to support animal-raising labeling claims, which include “Raised Without Antibiotics,” “Organic,” “Grass-Fed,” “Free-Range” and “Raised with the use of hormones.” Among other things, the agency requires the following information to support such claims: (i) “a detailed…
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Humane Society Files FTC Complaint on Chicken Welfare in Egg Production
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has reportedly filed a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging the agency to investigate Natural Pasteurized Eggs, producer of Davidson’s eggs, because the company allegedly keeps its “birds permanently locked in cages so tightly they can’t even spread their wings.” HSUS argues the packaging…