Food & Beverage Litigation & Regulatory Update

Category: Issue 632

  • Proposed SSB Tax Withdrawn in Mass.

    A Massachusetts house bill proposing a one-­ and two-­cent tax per fluid ounce of sugar-­sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been withdrawn during a state budget hearing. The tax would have applied to SSBs containing more than five grams of sugar but excluded 100­-percent juice, milk substitutes, infant formula and beverages for medicinal use. Although sponsor Kay…

  • Silverman Analyzes Increase in “Shake the Box” Lawsuits for Law360

    Shook, Hardy & Bacon Partner Cary Silverman explains in an April 17, 2017, Law360 article that a six-­fold growth in slack-­fill lawsuits stems from a “precise template” developed by plaintiffs’ lawyers seeking to pressure companies into out­of­court settlements. “I call them ‘shake the box’ lawsuits,” reports Silverman. “If you can hear the product shake, you’ve…