Category: Issue
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FDA Announces Upcoming Science Board Meeting
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced it will hold a public advisory committee meeting of its Science Board on June 26, 2017, in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Science Board will hear an update on FDA’s biotechnology activities related to animals and plant-derived food as well as a report from the National Antibiotic…
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FAO Urges Agriculture Cos. To Combat Child Labor
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has published a guide encouraging agricultural companies to enact child-labor policies to combat abuse in the industry. The guide offers “practical steps to ensure that programmes contribute to safe employment and training opportunities for youth and that activities intended to support vulnerable families do not have the unintended…
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FDA Delays Compliance Date for Nutrition Facts Labeling
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it will postpone the deadline for food companies to use a revised Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods and beverages that includes added-sugar content and emphasizes calorie content. The FDA guidance document on the changes was updated to note that it received feedback from industry…
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State Appeals Court May Revive Wrongful Death Suit Against Dole
According to a news source, a California appeals court indicated during oral argument that it would likely reverse the dismissal order of a lower court in a wrongful death action alleging that Dole Food Co. paid Colombian paramilitaries to kill 170 people near South American banana plantations. Gomez v. Dole Food Co., Inc., No. B242400…
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Blogger Challenges Food Network’s “Snow Globe Cupcake” Recipe
A pastry chef and food blogger has filed a copyright-infringement lawsuit against the owner of Food Network, alleging the channel copied her video tutorial for “Snow Globe Cupcakes.” LaBau v. Television Food Network G.P., No. 14-4077 (C.D. Cal., filed June 1, 2017). Elizabeth LaBau, owner of a website that provides recipes and tutorials for desserts,…
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Lollipop IP Lawsuit Survives Motion to Dismiss
A New York federal court has denied a motion to dismiss a patent infringement and trade dress suit filed by candy maker The Topps Co. alleging that a competitor copied its Juicy Drop lollipop. The Topps Co. v. Koko’s Confectionery & Novelty, Inc., No. 16-5954 (S.D.N.Y., order entered June 7, 2017). Topps alleged that Koko’s…
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Nutella® Wins Palm Oil Ad Dispute
Ferrero SpA, maker of Nutella®, has reportedly won a dispute in the Brussels Court of Appeal over a rival’s advertising that claimed its similar product was healthier because it does not contain palm oil. Ferrero sued Belgium’s Delhaize Group after the “Choco” maker launched an ad campaign claiming its “certified without palm oil” spread was…
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Court Dismisses Shareholder Suit Against Chipotle
A Colorado federal court has dismissed a shareholder derivative action against Chipotle alleging the company’s officers and directors of food-safety oversight failed to take action to prevent outbreaks of foodborne illness. Gubricky v. Ells, No. 16-2011 (D. Colo., order entered June 7, 2017). The plaintiff claimed the defendants had failed to implement and enforce effective…