Tag: California
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All Natural” Claims Trimmed in Whole Foods Litigation
A federal court in California has granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss in a putative class action alleging that Whole Foods Market Group misleads consumers by labeling certain food products containing sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) as “All Natural.” Garrison v. Whole Foods Mkt. Group, Inc., No. 13-5222 (N.D. Cal., order entered…
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Court Limits Class Certification Grant in “All Natural” Litigation
A federal court in California has certified a nationwide class of consumers as to the injunctive relief requested in litigation against Dole Packaged Foods regarding its labeling claims that certain fruit products are “All Natural” despite the presence of ascorbic acid and citric acid, but limited the damages class to California consumers and the number…
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Proposed “All Natural” Mislabeling Class Action Against Diamond Foods Dismissed
A California federal court has dismissed a putative class action against Diamond Foods Inc. alleging that its Kettle tortilla chips are mislabeled as “All Natural” despite containing synthetic ingredients. Surzyn v. Diamond Foods Inc., No. 14-cv-136 (N.D. Cal., order entered May 28, 2014). Citing a lack of basic factual assertions such as which product was the…
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California Senate Rejects GM Food Labeling Legislation
A California bill requiring labels to disclose genetically modified (GM) ingredients in food recently failed to pass after a close vote in the state senate. Opponents argued that it would cost the average consumer as much as $400 per year for labeling a category of food that presents no risk to the public. Vermont became…
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California Senate Passes Warning Label Legislation for Sugary Drinks
The California Senate has passed a bill (S.B. 1000) that would require all sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) containing more than 75 calories per 12-ounce serving to carry labels warning of obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. Milk-based beverages and 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices would be exempt. Introduced in February 2014 by state Sen. Bill Monning…
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Natural Balance Shareholder Accuses Heinz of Adulterating Dog Food
Frank Magliato, “in his capacity as stockholder representative for the former shareholders of Natural Balance Pet Foods,” has reportedly filed a lawsuit against H.J. Heinz Co., alleging that the food company knowingly sold processed sheep lungs adulterated with rubber rings to Natural Balance. The complaint alleges that while Heinz knew both that the rubber rings…
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Darigold Faces Proposed Class Action for Alleged Employee and Cow Abuses
Two consumers have filed a putative class action against dairy cooperative Darigold Inc., a subsidiary of Northwest Dairy Association, for false advertising and fraud by concealment, alleging that the company misrepresented the conditions in which its milk is produced. Ruiz v. Darigold Inc., No. 14-2054 (N.D. Cal., May 5, 2014). Yesenia Ruiz and Fernando Dorantes…
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Trader Joe’s Allegedly Mislabels Sunflower Seeds
A California resident has filed a putative nationwide class action against Trader Joe’s alleging that the company fails to disclose “the dangerously high” sodium content contained in its sunflower kernels and sunflower shells and then markets the products as a “good” or healthy snack. DiSimone v. Trader Joe’s Co., No. BC544924 (Cal. Super. Ct., Los…