Tag: Massachusetts
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Fruit Juice Makers Seek Dismissal of MDL Lead-Content Suits
A number of fruit juice manufacturers have filed a motion to dismiss the multidistrict litigation (MDL) consumer fraud lawsuits pending in a Massachusetts federal court. In re: Fruit Juice Prods. Mktg. & Sales Practices Litig., MDL No. 2231 (D. Mass, motion filed July 29, 2011). The lawsuits, involving plaintiffs from California, Colorado, Florida, and Massachusetts, allege…
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Activists Focus on Massachusetts Animal Rights Bill
According to a news source, animal rights activists have recently been pressing members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass a bill (H00458) that would “prohibit the confinement of farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.” The Prevention…
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Fishy Seafood Labels Result in Felony and Misdemeanor Convictions
According to the Department of Justice, a Massachusetts-based fish packer has been convicted of several criminal charges for falsely labeling packages of frozen fish fillets. A federal jury in Boston found Stephen Delaney guilty of a felony violation of the Lacey Act for falsely labeling $8,000 worth of frozen pollock, a product of China, as…
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Boston Mayor Gets Tough on Sweetened Beverages
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino (D) has issued an order that will require all city departments to take steps to stop “the sale, advertising, and promotion of sugary beverages on City-owned property.” The mayor is apparently concerned about setting an example in a community with high obesity rates that he attributes in part to the consumption…
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Court Rules Tip-Sharing at Starbucks Violates Massachusetts Law
A federal court in Massachusetts has certified a class of Starbucks’ employees alleging that the company’s policy of requiring tip-sharing by baristas and their supervisors violates state law; the court also granted the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment on that issue. Matamoros v. Starbucks Corp., No. 08-10772 (D. Mass., decided March 18, 2011). So ruling,…
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Massachusetts Health Regulators Move to Limit Junk Food in Public Schools
Massachusetts public health regulators have reportedly approved proposed rules that would prohibit public schools from selling sweetened soft drinks, salty and calorie-laden packaged snacks, and white bread sandwiches as a way to combat childhood obesity. Effective in the 2012-13 school year, the proposed regulations need the approval of the state’s Public Health Council, which is…
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Massachusetts Bans BPA in Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups
The Massachusetts Public Health Council has approved a ban on the production and sale of reusable plastic products containing bisphenol A (BPA) that are intended for children younger than age 3. Targeted mainly at baby bottles and sippy cups, the ban will reportedly take effect on January 1, 2011, for manufacturers and July 1 for…
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Cranberry Dispute Erupts in Antitrust Litigation
Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. has filed a lawsuit against a competitor alleging that it has orchestrated “an unlawful and malicious campaign” against Ocean Spray designed to damage the company’s reputation, frustrate its relationships with customers and undermine its dealings with grower-owners and other cranberry growers in the industry. Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. v. Decas Cranberry…