Tag: California
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Parties Reach $1.5 Million Settlement in MSG Labeling Dispute
CJ America Inc., maker of Annie Chun’s soup and noodle products, and a plaintiff have reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging the company misled consumers by selling products with monosodium glutamate (MSG) while labeling the foods with the claims “No MSG Added” or “100 percent all natural ingredients.” Petersen v. CJ America Inc., No.…
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Most Claims Dismissed in ECJ Case Against Whole Foods
A California federal court has dismissed without leave to amend several claims in a lawsuit alleging that Whole Foods Market fraudulently and misleadingly labeled its 365 Everyday Value ketchup, oatmeal and chicken broth as containing “evaporated cane juice” (ECJ) rather than “sugar.” Pratt v. Whole Food Mkt. Cal., Inc., No. 12-5652 (N.D. Cal., San Jose…
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Court Finds Insurer Must Cover Foster Farms’ Salmonella Losses
A California federal court has granted Foster Farms’ request for declaratory judgment finding that Lloyd’s of London must cover $14 million in costs related to a Salmonella outbreak linked to Foster Farms’ chicken processing facilities. Foster Poultry Farms Inc. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s London, No. 14-0446 (E.D. Cal., order entered October 9, 2015). Foster…
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California Governor Approves Measure Limiting Use of Livestock Antibiotics
California Governor Jerry Brown (D) has signed legislation (S.B. 27) that prohibits administration of a “medically important antimicrobial drug to livestock solely for purposes of promoting weight gain or improving feed efficiency” as of January 1, 2018. Under the statute, antibiotics may be used only when ordered by a licensed veterinarian through a prescription or…
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Proposed Prop. 65 Changes Aim for Transparency in Penalty Payments
California Attorney General Kamala Harris has proposed amendments to the state’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Prop. 65) that would require increased transparency and accountability in how the penalties paid by companies are spent by consumer groups, environmental organizations and other private enforcers of the law. In 2014, Prop. 65 actions…
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Monetary Class Certification Denied in Hain Celestial “Natural” Lawsuit
A California federal court has denied class certification in a lawsuit consolidated from four separate actions alleging that Hain Celestial Seasonings Teas were produced from ingredients sprayed with pesticides and contained pesticide residue, thus allegedly precluding Hain from labeling its teas as “natural.” In re Hain Celestial Seasonings Prods. Consumer Litig., No. 13-1757 (C.D. Cal.,…
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Lawsuit Challenging National Organic Program Guidance on Pesticides to Continue
A California federal court has denied the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by environmental organizations challenging USDA’s issuance of a guidance document about the use of pesticides in compost without first having solicited public comment. Ctr. for Envt’l Health v. Vilsack, No. 15-1690 (N.D. Cal., order entered September 29).…
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Whole Foods Targeted by PETA, Consumer Class Action for Humane Meat “Sham”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Inc. (PETA) has filed a lawsuit against Whole Foods Market claiming the grocery chain’s “5-Step® Animal Welfare Rating System” is a “sham” because Whole Foods fails to enforce the program against its chicken, turkey, pork and beef suppliers. PETA v. Whole Foods Mkt., Inc., No. 15-4301 (N.D. Cal.,…