Inflated jury verdicts in the first two preterm infant formula cases tried in the country have raised significant concerns for manufacturers and the broader medical community. These cases not only spotlight the legal...more
On July 25, 2024, Representative Roger Williams, Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business (the “Committee”), informed Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric that the Committee has...more
We want to inform you of a new law in Maryland, effective January 1, 2025, that mandates baby food manufacturers to test for toxic heavy metals, excluding infant formula. Known as Rudy’s Law, this legislation was inspired by...more
A recent Congressional report identified the risk of toxic heavy metal contamination of various brands of commercial baby food. Palmquist v. Hain Celestial Group is one of the first of many cases pending nationwide seeking...more
Our notable ruling roundup aims to keep our readers up to date on recent rulings in the food & consumer packaged goods space. In Re Plum Baby Food Litigation, No. 4:21-CV-00913-YGR (N.D. Cal. – March 28, 2024): The...more
Court: Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois - On April 19, a Chicago jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $45 million to the family of a Cook County woman named Theresa Garcia who died from mesothelioma, allegedly caused...more
Court: United States District Court, Middle District of Florida - On Thursday April 18, a Florida jury found the talcum powder in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder product did not cause the ovarian cancer of deceased Sarasota...more
Most years are eventful for businesses regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), and 2023 was no exception. 2024 promises more of the same – it being a Presidential election year, some FDA decisions (increased...more
Here are curated AG and federal regulatory news stories highlighting key areas in which state and federal regulators’ decisions are having an impact across the US: •FTC, California DFPI Team Up Against Mortgage Relief Scams...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - 20 State AGs Ask FDA to Act on Lead, Metals in Baby Food - Citing a wave of childhood lead poisoning connected to recalled applesauce pouches, a group of 20 state attorneys...more
The UK Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") launched a market study on 20 February 2024 into baby formula, the latest development in a broader focus on the food and grocery sector....more
A group of 20 Democratic AGs wrote a comment letter to the FDA urging it to act on prior AG petitions asking the FDA to issue strong, specific guidance to the baby food industry on testing for lead and other toxic elements....more
In the December edition of the Food & Beverage Digest, our roundup of court cases and regulations affecting the food, beverage, agribusiness, and cosmetics industries, states get in on the class action, protein can’t pack a...more
In the effort to enhance product quality and the integrity of the infant formula supply chain after contamination resulted in the 2022 baby formula shortage, Congress and the FDA took steps to ensure that infants and parents...more
Our weekly roundup aims to keep our readers up to date on recent notable rulings in the food & consumer packaged goods space. Igor Zapadinsky v. Blue Diamond Growers, No. 2:23-cv-00231-JPS (August 7, 2023): The Eastern...more
Baby formula has sadly made headlines in recent years as a result of shortages, plant closures, contamination, and lawsuits. A major infant formula class action lawsuit is ongoing against manufacturers Enfamil and Similac for...more
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released a national strategy outlining actions it will take immediately to help increase the resiliency of the U.S. infant formula market and supply. The Food and Drug Omnibus Reform...more
FDA Proposes Changes to Standards of Identity for Foods Including Salt- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule that would change the standards of identity (SOIs) for foods that include salt to...more
Here are curated AG and federal regulatory news stories highlighting key areas in which state and federal regulators’ decisions are having an impact across the US: ·Multistate AG Coalition Urges EPA Action to Protect...more
A group of 21 Democratic AGs wrote a comment letter to the FDA in connection with the agency’s Draft Guidance to Industry on Action Levels for Lead in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children (“Lead Guidance”). The letter...more
Infant formula manufacturers should be aware of several recent actions taken by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In total, these actions reflect FDA's dedication of resources to the infant formula industry....more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - California Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Ban Five Food Additives - California lawmakers have introduced first-in-the-nation legislation seeking to ban five food...more
On March 4, 2021, we wrote about lawsuits concerning alleged high levels of heavy metals in baby foods (“Are Your Baby’s Strained Carrots Safe? Considerations for Manufacturers”). A precipitating factor was a staff report...more
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert M. Califf announced in a Jan. 31 statement that the agency intends to reorganize its Human Foods Program and Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) after receiving the...more