Food & Beverage Litigation & Regulatory Update

Tag: GMO

  • FDA Issues Labeling Guidance for Foods Derived from GE Plants, GE Salmon

    In conjunction with its decision to approve the first genetically engineered (GE) animal for human consumption, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published final labeling guidance for foods derived from GE crops and draft labeling guidance for GE salmon. Titled “Voluntary Labeling Indicating Whether Foods Have or Have Not Been Derived from Genetically Engineered Plants,”…

  • FDA Determines GE Salmon Safe for Consumption, Environment

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released its determination that genetically engineered (GE) salmon produced by AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., is as safe to eat as conventional salmon and will have little effect on the environment. Containing genes from Pacific Chinook salmon and ocean pout that accelerate growth and maturation, AquAdvantage® salmon is the…

  • FDA Seeks Info and Comments About Use of the Term “Natural”

    Citing citizen petition and federal court requests for the agency to define “natural” for use in food labeling and determine if food products containing genetically engineered ingredients and high-fructose corn syrup may be labeled as “natural,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is soliciting information and comments about use of the term in the…

  • Ninth Circuit Refuses to Reconsider Hawaii’s Overturned Anti-GMO Statute

    The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected as moot an appeal for reconsideration brought by the Shaka Movement in an effort to reestablish a ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) approved by voters in Maui County, Hawaii. Robert Ito Farm v. Cty. Of Maui, No. 15-15641 (9th Cir., order entered October 23, 2015). A…

  • Russia Halts Domestic Production of GM Foods

    Russia has imposed a moratorium on the use of genetically modified organisms in domestic food production. Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich reportedly made the announcement during a biotechnology conference in Kirov on September 18, 2015. Russia’s action follows similar moves by France, Germany and Scotland. See Reuters, September 18, 2015.   Issue 580

  • Chipotle Fare Is Not GMO-Free, Purported Class Action Alleges

    A California woman has filed a putative class action against Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. alleging that, despite advertised claims to the contrary, the company’s restaurants do not serve food free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Gallagher v. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., No. 15-3952 (N.D. Cal., filed August 26, 2015). The complaint asserts that although the…

  • Center for Food Safety Sues USDA for Ignoring FOIA Requests About GE Crops

    The Center for Food Safety (CFS) has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) alleging that the agency has routinely failed to respond to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for records related to genetically engineered (GE) crops. Ctr. for Food Safety v. Animal &…

  • Court Approves Nearly $4 Million Settlement in Kashi GMO Case

    A Florida federal court has granted preliminary approval of the settlement reached in a class action alleging that Kashi falsely advertised its products as “All Natural” despite containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Eggnatz v. The Kellogg Co., No. 12-21678 (S.D. Fla., order entered September 4, 2015). The court certified the class for settlement purposes and…