Category: Issue 689
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Draft Guidance on Food Recalls Issued
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance on the release of retailer information during the food-recall process. The guidance indicates when the agency may find that identifying retailers is necessary during Class I recalls—”recalls where there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, the food will cause…
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Think Tank Petitions FDA to Prohibit Use of “Non-GMO” on Labels
The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has submitted a citizen petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) challenging the use of labeling that asserts that products are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). “[T]he ‘Non-GMO’ Project’s butterfly logo and language on consumer foods and goods misleads and deceives consumers through false and…
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Cornell Finds Brian Wansink Committed Academic Misconduct
Cornell University has announced that the university’s investigation into Brian Wansink‘s research methods has concluded. “Professor Wansink committed academic misconduct in his research and scholarship, including misreporting of research data, problematic statistical techniques, failure to properly document and preserve research results, and inappropriate authorship,” the university’s provost stated. “Professor Wansink has tendered his resignation and…
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FDA Issues Update on Cyclospora
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has issued a statement on testing for Cyclospora as a foodborne pathogen. The statement noted that the testing methods allowed the agency to identify Cyclospora in cilantro, marking the first time it found the parasite in domestically grown produce. “We must continue to put in place…
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Ad Board Recommends Changes To Meal-Kit Co.’s Organic Claims
The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program (ERSP) has determined that Green Chef Inc. cannot support some of its claims about organic food in its meal-kit deliveries, which it marketed as containing 90 percent or more organic ingredients. ERSP found that the use of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s organic seal “inaccurately communicated that Green Chef meal…
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Dunkin’ “Angus” Suit Dismissed
A New York federal court has dismissed a putative class action alleging that Dunkin’ Brands Inc. misled consumers by marketing a sandwich and a wrap as containing “Angus steak.” Chen v. Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., No. 17-3808 (E.D.N.Y., entered September 17, 2018). The court first dismissed the claims brought by a non-resident of New York, finding…
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Whole Foods Obtains Restraining Order Against Activists
Whole Foods Market Inc. has reportedly obtained a restraining order against Direct Action Everywhere, an activist group that was apparently planning a “week-long occupation” of a Whole Foods location in Berkeley, California. The group has previously targeted the company with protests challenging its “free-range” labels on chicken and alleging its vendors treat animals inhumanely on…
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Brown Signs California Restaurant Straw Restriction
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a law that will prohibit restaurants from giving patrons straws unless the patrons request them. Brown issued a signing statement indicating that the bill’s purpose is to reduce plastic waste. “Ocean plastic is estimated to kill millions of marine animals each year,” Brown states. “Nor are humans immune as…