Tag: trans fat
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Final Approval Sought in Non-Monetary Settlement of Trans Fat Claims
The parties to putative nationwide class actions alleging that Unilever U.S., Inc. falsely advertised that its margarine spreads, including Country Crock® and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter®, were good for cardiovascular health are seeking final court approval of a non-monetary settlement that will require the company to remove the trans fat from its products.…
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No MDL for Quaker Oats Trans Fat Lawsuits
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has denied a request that five false advertising lawsuits pending in two federal district courts against The Quaker Oats Co. be consolidated for pretrial proceedings in Illinois. In re: Quaker Oats Trans-Fat Mktg. & Sales Practices Litig., MDL No. 2230 (J.P.M.L., decided April 8, 2011). The putative class actions…
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Federal Court Trims False Advertising and Labeling Claims Against Guacamole Maker
A federal court in California has determined that some putative class claims can proceed against a company that allegedly makes false and misleading statements about its guacamole and spicy bean dip products. Henderson v. Gruma Corp., No. 10-04173 (C.D. Cal., decided April 11, 2011). The plaintiffs’ first amended complaint alleged five causes of action for…
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Illinois House Approves Bill Prohibiting Trans Fats
The Illinois House of Representatives has approved a bill (H.B. 1600) that would prohibit “food facilities” from selling food containing artificial trans fats. Effective January 1, 2013, the law would apply to any “entity that prepares, packages, serves, vends, or otherwise provides food for human consumption at the retail level,” including public and private school…
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Lawmaker Proposes Trans Fat Labeling Revisions, “Poison-Free” Poultry Law
U.S. Representative Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) has introduced a bill (H.R. 1486) that would amend federal labeling laws concerning trans fat content in food. The Trans Fat Truth in Labeling Act of 2011 would “direct the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to revise the federal regulations applicable to the declaration of the trans fat content of…
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Walmart Launches Effort to Provide Healthier Food Choices
Walmart has unveiled a plan to provide healthier food choices at reduced prices, setting specific targets for lowering sodium, trans fats and added sugars in thousands of packaged foods by 2015. Joined by first lady Michelle Obama at an event in Washington, D.C., the major grocer outlined key elements of the initiative that built on…
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Researcher Urges FDA to Revise Trans Fat Labeling Policy
A Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine researcher has called for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to change its trans fat labeling guidelines to reflect more accurate levels of the fat in foods. Eric Brandt, “Deception of Trans Fats on Food and Drug Administration Food Labels: A Proposed Revision to the Presentation of…
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Court Tosses Trans Fat Lawsuit Against Hostess, Claims Preempted
In a ruling left unchallenged when the appeal period expired, a federal court in California has determined that a plaintiff bringing state law claims about alleged misleading food labels involving trans fat were preempted by federal law and that he lacked standing as a consumer to bring a claim under the Lanham Act, which protects…