Category: Issue
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Coconut Group Seeks Removal of Coconuts from “Tree Nut” Allergen Labeling
The Coconut Coalition of the Americas has announced an effort to revise 2006 guidance interpreting the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act “to remove coconut from the list of ‘tree nuts’ identified as a major food allergen,” according to a press release. “The fact is coconut is not a major food allergen nor is…
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Cannabis Edibles Co. Cannot Claim Trademark Ownership, Court Holds
A California federal court has rejected a trademark infringement claim on the grounds that the company alleging preceding use of the trademark manufactures cannabis-infused edibles, which are illegal under federal law. Kiva Health Brands LLC v. Kiva Brands Inc., No. 19-3459 (N.D. Cal., entered September 6, 2019). The parties to the litigation—Kiva Brands Inc. (KBI)…
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StarKist to Pay $100 Million in Price-Fixing Case
A California federal court has reportedly refused to lower the fine of $100 million that StarKist must pay following a guilty plea on charges of price fixing. The company apparently argued that the penalty could bankrupt it because it continues to face potential civil damages, but the court found that StarKist had legal recourse to…
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Ninth Circuit Sends Hemp Truck Case to State Court
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has reversed a district court’s decision not to apply an abstention that would defer a case on the legality of transporting hemp to state court proceedings. Big Sky Scientific v. Bennetts, No. 19-0040 (9th Cir., entered September 4, 2019). Hemp producers were reportedly hoping to receive…
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Chipotle Settles GMO Lawsuit for $6.5 Million
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has agreed to pay $6.5 million to settle allegations that it misleadingly marketed its food as free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Schneider v. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., No. 16-2200 (N.D. Cal., motion for preliminary approval filed September 11, 2019). Under the agreement, class members can receive 10 meals with proof…
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Researchers Purportedly Find Link Between Soda Consumption and Early Mortality
A study examining the health effects of soft drink consumption in 10 European countries reportedly found that both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages are associated with greater all-cause mortality. Mullee et al., “Association Between Soft Drink Consumption and Mortality in 10 European Countries,” JAMA Internal Medicine, September 3, 2019. The researchers assessed dietary intake of…
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Tax on Foods with Sugar May Fight Obesity More than SSB Taxes, BMJ Study Asserts
A U.K. modeling study has apparently found that a 20% tax on foods with high levels of sugar could reduce rates of obesity more than taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Scheelbeek et al., “Potential impact on prevalence of obesity in the UK of a 20% price increase in high sugar snacks: modelling study,” BMJ, September…
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New York Times Explores Potential Citywide Foie Gras Ban
The New York Times has published a piece on the city’s proposed ban on force-fed foie gras. The authors speak to several stakeholders—including chefs, city council members and veterinarians—and tour the upstate New York production facilities of two of the country’s three foie gras farms. The authors note that foie gras, “a luxury item,” is…