Tag: pesticide
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Dole Targeted with “Greenwashing” Class Action
A putative class action alleging that Dole Food Co. misleads consumers by claiming it is an environmentally friendly and socially responsible company despite purportedly purchasing bananas from growers using pesticides in Guatemala has reportedly been filed in a California federal court. According to a Hagens Berman news release, the suit, filed on November 13, 2012,…
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EFSA Publishes Bee Research Inventory
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published an inventory of its activities on bees and bee health as part of a forthcoming report to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. Spurred by a worldwide decline in the bee population, the agency created a task force with expertise in pesticides, animal health and…
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Study Examines Food Contaminant Exposures
University of California, Los Angeles, and University of California, Davis, researchers have published a study examining the health effects of foodborne toxin exposure in children and adults. Rainbow Vogt, et al., “Cancer and noncancer health effects from food contaminant exposures for children and adults in California: a risk assessment,” Environmental Health, November 2012. Based on…
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California Court Dismisses Banana Plantation Lawsuit
A California Superior Court has reportedly dismissed a lawsuit filed by nearly 3,000 Philippine banana plantation workers who claimed that exposure to the pesticide 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) more than 30 years ago caused physical and mental injury including sterility, testicular atrophy, miscarriages, and cancer. Macasa v. Dole Food Co., No. BC467134 (Cal Super. Ct., decided August…
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NOP Addresses Tetracycline, Formic Acid and Attapulgite Use in Organics
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) has issued a final rule revising the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances with regard to the use of tetracycline, formic acid and attapulgite during the production and processing of organic crops and food ingredients. According to NOP, the most recent iteration of the National List…
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Court Rulings: Damages Apportioned Along Supply Chain in E. Coli Litigation, Taco Bell Cleared of Unauthorized Text Message Claims, “Heart Attack” and “Bypass” Sandwich Dispute Resolved, False Ad Suit over Muscle Milk® to Proceed, Skinny Girl Margarita® “All Natural” Claims Survive Motion to Dismiss, Conditions Imposed on Pesticide Spraying
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has decided which of the parties sued over an E. coli outbreak that sickened dozens of Sizzler Steak House patrons in 2000 and caused the death of a 3-year-old are liable for consequential damages, indemnity and costs under various supply chain and insurance contracts. Kriefall v. Sizzler USA Franchise, Inc., Nos. 2009AP1212 &…
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USDA Revamps Drug Residue Testing Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a July 6, 2012, notice announcing its decision to restructure its National Residue Program to permit more extensive compound testing of meat, poultry and egg products. According to FSIS, the revamped program aims to reduce the number of samples analyzed while…
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EWG Issues Updated Guide to Pesticide Residues in Produce
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has issued its “2012 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce,” updating “pesticide loads” on 45 conventional fruits and vegetables. EWG’s contamination rankings were derived from the organization’s review of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration data from 2000 and 2010 that detailed the amounts and types…