Category: D.C. Circuit
-
RFK Jr. Group Sues Baby Food Co. for “Natural” Representation
Children’s Health Defense, an organization founded and chaired by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has filed a lawsuit alleging that Beech-Nut Nutrition Co. misrepresents its baby-food products as “100% natural” despite containing pesticide residues. Children’s Health Def. v. Beech-Nut Nutrition Co., No. 2019 CA 4475 (D.C. Super. Ct., filed July 8, 2019). The organization alleges that…
-
Physicians Committee Sues USDA for Response on Adulterant Petition
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has filed an Administrative Procedure Act lawsuit seeking to compel the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to respond to the organization’s petition urging the agency to regulate feces as an adulterant under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act. Physicians Comm. for Responsible Med. v.…
-
Court Finds ALDF Claim Preempted
A D.C. court has granted summary judgment in favor of Hormel Foods Corp. in a lawsuit alleging that the company misleads consumers into believing that its products “are from animals that are humanely raised and not ‘factory-farmed’ and that its products do not contain preservatives or nitrites that are not from natural sources.” Animal Legal…
-
Consumer Groups Sue Pilgrim’s Pride
The Organic Consumers Association and Food & Water Watch Inc. have filed a lawsuit alleging that Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. misrepresents the conditions in which it raises its chickens. Food & Water Watch Inc. v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. (D.C. Super. Ct., filed February 4, 2019). The complaint alleges that “Pilgrim’s Pride systematically raises, transports, and slaughters…
-
Brewery Sues Federal Government for Shutdown’s Approval Delays
Washington, D.C., brewery Atlas Brew Works has filed a First Amendment lawsuit and motion for preliminary injunction alleging that the federal government’s partial shutdown has violated its right to speak because the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has stopped issuing label approvals, causing beer production to halt. Atlas Brew Works v. Whitaker, No.…
-
Advocacy Group Sues USDA for Petition Inaction
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) has filed a lawsuit alleging that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has failed to act on the organization’s 2014 petition seeking certification for labeling claims about animal welfare and environmental stewardship during the meat and poultry production process. Animal Welfare Inst. v. USDA, No. 18-2621 (D.D.C., filed November 14,…
-
D.C. Court Dismisses Olive Oil Complaint
A D.C. court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Deoleo USA Inc.’s “extra virgin” olive oil, finding that the plaintiff failed to state a claim. Fahey v. Deoleo USA Inc., No. 18-2047 (D.D.C., entered November 8, 2018). Deoleo settled a similar lawsuit in March 2018, and the plaintiff “apparently caught wind of this news,” the court…
-
“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…