Food & Beverage Litigation & Regulatory Update

Category: Issue 637

  • Advocacy Groups Sue FDA for Menu Info Delay

    The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and National Consumers League have filed a lawsuit alleging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) decision to delay implementation of rules requiring chain restaurants and food sellers to display nutritional information violated the Administrative Procedure Act. Ctr. for Sci. in the Pub. Interest v. Price, No. 17­-1085 (D.D.C., filed…

  • Italians Dispute “Made in Italy” Definition in Food­-Source Labeling Initiative

    Italian food producers reportedly disagree on how to define whether a food product is “made in Italy” in accordance with the country’s attempt to distinguish food produced in Italy, such as parmesan cheese or prosecco, from similar foods produced outside of the country. The dispute centers on whether foods manufactured in Italy using foreign ingredients…

  • OEHHA Hearing on Lead Levels In Candy Rescheduled for July 2017

    California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has announced that a public hearing on “naturally occurring” lead levels in chili or tamarind candy has been rescheduled for July 6, 2017. Comments on the petition may be submitted by email or in writing by July 20, 2017.   Issue 637

  • ASA Blocks Dairy Farm’s Environmental Advertising

    The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint arguing an advertisement for Arla Foods’ organic milk was misleading because it included the statements “Good for the land” and “helping support a more sustainable future.” ASA reviewed evidence the company provided about its organic farming methods but concluded that the dairy had failed to substantiate…

  • NAD Recommends Campbell Soup Change Prego® “Baby Expert” Ads

    Responding to a challenge from Ragù® ­maker Mizkan Americas Inc., the National Advertising Division (NAD) has recommended that Campbell Soup Co. change broadcast ads featuring toddlers as “life­-long pasta experts,” finding the ads are “puffery” and do not contain “a claim about the preferences of toddlers.” The ads showed a split­-screen with one child eating and…

  • Seattle Approves Tax on SSB Distributors

    The Seattle City Council has approved a tax on distributors of sugar­-sweetened beverages (SSBs) proposed by the city’s mayor. SSBs covered by the tax include sports, fruit, energy and soft drinks as well as flavored syrups commonly used in coffee drinks. Baby formula, medications, weight-­loss drinks, fruit juice and diet soft drinks are exempt from…