Tag: California
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Court Grants Certification in Non-GMO Chipotle Suit
A California federal court has granted class certification to a group of consumers alleging that Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. misrepresented its food as made without genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Schneider v. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., No. 16-2200 (N.D. Cal., entered September 29, 2018). Chipotle has faced a number of similar suits, but other iterations have…
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Consumers Challenge D-Malic Acid in Ocean Spray, Neuro Beverages
Consumers have filed lawsuits alleging that companies misrepresent their products as “natural” because they contain d-malic acid. One lawsuit targets Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., alleging it mislabels its juices as free from artificial flavors despite containing d-malic acid rather than the naturally occurring l-malic acid. Froio v. Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., No. 18-12005 (D. Mass.,…
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Kern’s Juices “Almost Entirely Sugar-Water,” Lawsuit Alleges
A consumer has filed a putative class action alleging that Stremick’s Heritage Foods misrepresents its Kern’s juice as a “healthful, natural juice product made solely from fresh fruits” despite being “almost entirely sugar-water, with a small amount of fruit juice added for color and texture.” Levin v. Stremick’s Heritage Foods, No. 18-1748 (C.D. Cal., filed…
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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…
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Kombucha Sugar, Alcohol Claims Dismissed
Two California courts have dismissed lawsuits brought by a competitor alleging kombucha companies misrepresented the amount of sugar and alcohol in their products. Tortilla Factory LLC v. Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha LLC, No. 18-2984 (C.D. Cal., entered September 11, 2018); Tortilla Factory LLC v. Better Booch LLC, No. 18-2980 (C.D. Cal., entered September 13, 2018). In…
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EEOC Alleges Harassment, Gender Bias at Del Taco
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit alleging that Del Taco LLC failed to provide “a conciliation agreement acceptable to the Commission” following allegations of discriminatory practices against female employees. EEOC v. Del Taco LLC, No. 18-1978 (C.D. Cal., filed September 17, 2018). Allegations include sexual harassment of female employees by…
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Ninth Circuit Affirms Olive-Oil Class-Action Settlement
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has rejected a class member’s objection to a settlement between Salov North America Corp. and a class of Filippo Berio olive-oil purchasers. Kumar v. Salov N. Am. Corp., No. 17-16405 (9th Cir., entered September 11, 2018). The appeals court held that the district court properly found…