Food & Beverage Litigation & Regulatory Update

Tag: restaurant

  • New Jersey Requires Chain Restaurants to Post Calorie Counts

    New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine (D) has reportedly signed a bill (S. 2905/A. 4236) that requires major restaurant chains doing business in the state to fully disclose calorie information on menu items. Franchises with more than 20 locations nationally must post calorie counts next to each item on the menu, as well as on drive-through…

  • New Jersey Court Dismisses Salt Lawsuit Against Denny’s

    According to a news source, a New Jersey court has dismissed fraud-related claims filed against Denny’s Corp. alleging that the company failed to disclose the amount of sodium in its menu items. DeBenedetto v. Denny’s Corp., No. __ (N.J. Super. Ct., dismissed November 10, 2009). Additional details about the litigation appear in issue 312 of…

  • Fast Food Chain Sued for Alleged Failure to Disclose Presence of Chicken Stock in Vegetarian Offerings

    A Jewish California resident who follows kosher practices has filed a putative class action on behalf of Hari Krishnas, Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Taoists, Sikhs, Muslims and Jews against Panda Express, Inc., claiming that the restaurant chain fails to disclose that its vegetable menu items are actually made with significant amounts of chicken stock. Adelpour v.…

  • Denny’s Faces Second Class Action Over Food Salt Content

    Putative class claims have been filed in federal court in Illinois against Denny’s Corp., alleging that the company defrauded consumers by misrepresenting or omitting information about the “excessive amount of sodium—the deadliest ingredient in the food supply—present in its meals.” Ciszewski v. Denny’s Corp., No. 09-5355 (N.D. Ill, filed August 29, 2009). Information about similar…

  • CSPI-Backed Action Against Denny’s Seeks Disclosure of Sodium Levels, Warning Notice

    A consumer supported by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has reportedly filed a putative class action in New Jersey Superior Court, alleging that meals he purchased at Denny’s® restaurants contained “alarmingly large and undisclosed amounts of sodium.” DeBenedetto v. Denny’s Corp., No. ___ (N.J. Super. Ct., filed July 23, 2009). At…

  • New Jersey Court Finds Insurance Contract Ambiguous; Insurer Liable for Tainted Food-Related Claims

    A New Jersey Superior Court judge has denied insurers’ request for summary judgment in a case brought by Taco Bell Restaurant franchisees seeking “protection from the consequences of publicity about contaminated food served at restaurants.” In re: Quick Service Mgmt., Inc. v. Underwriters of Lloyds, No. 4861-07 (N.J. Super. Ct., decided June 12, 2009). The court…

  • CSPI Announces “Xtreme Eating Awards 2009”

    The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has targeted a number of restaurants in its Xtreme Eating 2009 report, which also singles out four plates as particularly high in calories, fat and sodium. The public watchdog has lambasted chain establishments for making “already bad foods even worse,” claiming that some appetizers rival entrée-sized…

  • CSPI Urges Congress to Pass Legislation Aimed At Reducing Sodium Levels in Food

    The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has launched a campaign to halve the amount of sodium in prepackaged foods and restaurant meals within 10 years. CSPI Executive Director Michael Jacobson this week presented the group’s case to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, claiming that “Because it raises blood pressure and increases the…