Category: Issue
-
Beef, Dairy Consumption Linked to High Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Using a “food impacts” database, researchers from Tulane University and the University of Michigan have reportedly found that high levels of beef and dairy consumption account for large portions of diet-related greenhouse gas emissions. Martin C. Heller, et al., “Greenhouse gas emissions and energy use associated with production of individual self-selected US diets,” Environmental Research…
-
McCain, Shaheen Renew Objections to Catfish Import Restrictions
After the Vietnamese government asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to discuss U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) restrictions on catfish imports, Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer asking him to support repeal of the restrictions. “Since its implementation, the USDA Catfish Inspection Program has…
-
Safeway Settles Olive Oil Labeling Class Action
A California state court has reportedly approved a class action settlement that will provide vouchers or cash to state residents who bought Safeway olive oil allegedly falsely labeled as “imported from Italy.” Kumar v. Safeway, No. RG14726707 (Cal. Super. Ct., entered March 16, 2018). The class alleged that Safeway labeled its olive oil as imported…
-
Quaker Oats Wins Dismissal of Flavored-Oatmeal Litigation
A California federal court has dismissed with prejudice a putative consolidated class action alleging that Quaker Oats Co. falsely advertised its instant oatmeal as containing maple syrup, finding that the plaintiffs were unable to allege conduct not preempted by the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). In re Quaker Oats Maple & Brown Sugar…
-
Slack-Fill Complaint Filed Against Cookie Dough Bites Maker
A consumer has filed a putative class action alleging boxes of Cookie Dough Bites, made by Taste of Nature Inc., contain up to 58 percent slack fill. Gillespie v. Taste of Nature, Inc., No. 18-2105 (C.D. Cal., filed March 13, 2018). The complaint alleges that the candies are packed in a plastic pouch inside the…
-
Dairy Queen Alleges “Blizzard” Water Infringes Trademarked Treats
American Dairy Queen Corp. has filed a lawsuit challenging W.B. Mason Co.’s application for a “Blizzard” trademark for its bottled water. Am. Dairy Queen Corp. v. W.B. Mason Co., Inc., No. 18-0693 (D. Minn., filed March 12, 2018). Dairy Queen alleges that it trademarked “Blizzard” for milkshakes in 1946 and has extended the mark to…
-
Lawsuit Alleges “Keenwah” Snacks Have Minimal Quinoa
I Heart Foods Inc. faces a putative class action alleging that its “I Heart Keenwah” Quinoa Puffs contain mostly rice and pea protein rather than the quinoa implied by the product name. Ransom v. I Heart Foods Inc., No. 18-1465 (E.D.N.Y., filed March 8, 2018). According to the complaint, Quinoa Puffs are made from quinoa…
-
“Pasture-Raised” Egg Lawsuit Settlement Announced
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) has announced the settlement of a lawsuit alleging Handsome Brook Farms mislabeled eggs as “Pasture Raised” despite being sourced from non-pasture producers or from producers not meeting standards for pasture-raised products. OCA noted that since the suit was filed, Handsome Brook’s new management has developed internal audit processes and supply…