Tag: grocery
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FTC Approves Order to Preserve Supermarket Competition
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved a modified final order settling charges that the $28-billion merger of Delhaize Group NV/SA and Koninklijke Ahold N.V. would be anticompetitive. In re Koninklije Ahold N.V., No. C-4588 (F.T.C., order entered October 14, 2016). According to the modified order, the companies must divest 81 stores—including locations of Giant,…
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EPA, Whole Foods Reach $3.5-Million Settlement in Hazardous Waste Action
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a settlement with Whole Foods Inc. after a year-long investigation into the company’s hazardous-waste disposal at facilities in five states. According to EPA, the investigation uncovered that Whole Foods did not properly make hazardous waste determinations—as required by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act—and mishandled spent lamps.…
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USPTO Denies “World’s Healthiest Grocery Store” Registration to Whole Foods
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has rejected Whole Foods Market’s attempt to trademark the phrase “World’s Healthiest Grocery Store,” finding the statement to be merely descriptive and puffery. The company currently owns a trademark in “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store,” which it reportedly earned by using the mark in commerce for several years before registration.…
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Court Dismisses One of Nine Claims in Safeway Tuna Slack-Fill Case
A California federal court has dismissed a claim of negligent misrepresentation in a lawsuit alleging that Safeway Inc. underfilled its tuna cans by 10 to 20 percent, according to testing conducted by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In re Safeway Tuna Cases, No. 15-5078 (N.D. Cal., order entered July 13, 2016). Details about…
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FDA Drafts Industry Guidance for Salt Reduction
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published draft guidance “that provides practical, voluntary sodium reduction targets for the food industry.” Titled ‘‘Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals: Target Mean and Upper Bound Concentrations for Sodium in Commercially Processed, Packaged, and Prepared Foods,” the guidance sets short- and long-term sodium targets for the following food categories:…
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Lawsuit Challenges Buy-One, Get-One Deal at Grocers
Consumers have filed a putative class action against Albertson’s Inc. and Safeway Inc. alleging the companies raise prices on meat during “buy one get one free” (BOGO) deals, resulting in consumers “actually paying for the meat that is sold as ‘free’ in these special sales.” Stewart v. Albertson’s Inc., No. 16-15125 (Ore. Cir. Ct., Multnomah…
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Ninth Circuit Denies Rehearing of Costco “Natural” Water Suit
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a dismissal of a consumer lawsuit against Costco Wholesale Corp. alleging mislabeling claims against VitaRain Tropical Mango Vitamin Enhanced Water Beverage. Maple v. Costco Wholesale Corp., No. 13-36089 (9th Cir., order entered May 9, 2016). The plaintiff had alleged the product was mislabeled because the product contains…
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PETA Suit Against Whole Foods Dismissed
A California federal court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) alleging Whole Foods Market Inc. misrepresents its meat products as humanely slaughtered with its Global Animal Partnership (GAP) 5-Step® Rating System. PETA v. Whole Foods Mkt. Cal., Inc., No. 15-4301 (N.D. Cal., order entered April 26, 2016). Details…