Food & Beverage Litigation & Regulatory Update

Tag: fat

  • European Parliament Vetoes Food Labeling Changes

    The European Parliament has reportedly vetoed a European Commission (EC) proposal that would have permitted reformulated food products to display “percent less” claims pertaining to their fat, salt and sugar contents. According to a February 2, 2012, press release, the rejected changes to Annex of EC Regulation 1924/2006 “would have allowed, for example, a ‘15% less…

  • Denmark Taxes Foods High in Saturated Fats

    In a move garnering international attention, the Danish government has reportedly approved a new excise tax on butter, cream, cheese, and other foods that contain more than 2.3 percent saturated fat per total weight. According to the Copenhagen Post, the levy took effect October 1, 2011, and “amounts to a 16 kroner duty per solid kilo…

  • Brandeis University Sues Cookie and Biscuit Makers for Patent Infringement

    Brandeis University has filed suit against a number of cookie and biscuit manufacturers, including Keebler Co., Famous Amos Chocolate Chip and The Pillsbury Co., alleging that they have infringed patents that adjust the LDL/HDL ratio in human serum by balancing saturated and polyunsaturated dietary fatty acids. Brandeis Univ. v. East Side Ovens, Inc., No. 11-619 (W.D.…

  • “Percent Fat Free” Litigation Against Deli Meat Makers Dismissed in Florida

    A federal court in Florida has dismissed with prejudice most of the claims asserted in a putative class action alleging that “percent fat free” labels on the packages of deli meats are misleading and deceptive. Kuenzig v. Kraft Foods, Inc., No. 11-838 (Tampa Div., decided September 12, 2011). Additional information about the case appears in Issue…

  • FDA Warns CytoSport About Muscle Milk® Product Labels

    Less than two weeks after a consumer fraud class action was filed in California against the company that makes Muscle Milk® beverages and protein bars, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a letter to its CEO warning that the products are misbranded because their labels either prominently feature the word “milk” without containing any…

  • Consumers Abandon Suits Alleging Misleading Deli Meat Labeling

    A federal court in Florida has dismissed without prejudice two putative class actions against Kraft Foods alleging that the packaging for its Oscar Mayer® deli meat products misleads consumers about their actual fat content. McDougal v. Kraft Foods, Inc., No. 11-61202; Rogel v. Kraft Foods, Inc., No. 11-61281 (S.D. Fla., decided June 23, 2011). The plaintiffs…

  • Amount of Fat in Meat Products Draws New Class Action

    According to a news source, a Florida resident has filed a putative class action against Kraft Foods Global, Inc., alleging that the packaging for its Oscar Mayer® deli meat products misleads consumers by declaring the meat to be 98 percent fat free, with 50 calories per serving. McDougal v. Kraft Foods, Inc., No. 11-61202 (S.D. Fla.,…

  • Reduced Fat Claims for Deli Meats Challenged in Class Complaint

    A Florida resident has alleged in a putative class action that Kraft Foods and Hormel Foods deceive the public by selling their prepackaged retail sandwich meat products in a way that suggests they contain far less fat than they actually do. Kuenzig v. Kraft Foods, Inc., No. 11-00838 (M.D. Fla., filed April 18, 2011). The companies…