AD Nauseam: A Different Type of Imposter Syndrome
On May 28, 2024, Chief Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu, of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, certified a class of consumers in an action against Barilla Foods....more
Think you’re being healthy when you reach for that KIND bar in the middle of your workday? We won’t say yes or no—since the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has recently declined to opine on what “all...more
Our notable ruling roundup aims to keep our readers up to date on recent rulings in the food & consumer packaged goods space....more
In the March edition of the Food & Beverage Digest, our roundup of court cases and regulations affecting the food, beverage, agribusiness, and cosmetics industries, there’s fermented fungus in your fruit, a consumer demands...more
A New York Senate bill seeks to amend multiple state laws impacting food and beverage advertising to expand the scope of factors to be considered in determining whether an advertisement is false or misleading....more
In the January edition of the Food & Beverage Digest, our roundup of court cases and regulations affecting the food, beverage, agribusiness, and cosmetics industries, a consumer wants her 2 ounces, a Slack-Fill Slayer has...more
Our weekly roundup aims to keep our readers up to date on recent notable rulings in the food & consumer packaged goods space. Carol Whyble, et al. v. The Nature’s Bounty Co., No. 7:20-cv-03257-NSR (S.D.N.Y.—October 31,...more
In the October edition of the Food & Beverage Digest, our roundup of court cases and regulations affecting the food, beverage, agribusiness, and cosmetics industries, a consumer likes (pop)corn – but only if it’s from...more
Plot Twist: NAD Agrees That Advertiser Makes Implied Claims of Improved Animal Welfare – But Finds Advertiser's Claim Is Substantiated - The nonprofit organization Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) filed a challenge with the...more
A federal court in New York has thrown out a proposed class action against the maker of Cup Noodles and other instant noodle products claiming that its use of the phrase “No Added MSG” deceived consumers. Henry v. Nissin...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - USDA Proposes Rule Limiting 'Made in the USA' Claims for Meat, Poultry and Eggs - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a proposed rule that would tighten who can label...more
A New York court has dismissed with prejudice a complaint alleging that Mondelez Global misleads consumers by selling “Fudge Covered” Oreos produced without dairy ingredients containing milkfat. Leonard v. Mondelez Global...more
A Florida woman has filed a putative class action against Kraft Heinz Foods Co. alleging the company misleads consumers as to the cook time of its Velveeta-brand microwavable macaroni and cheese product. Ramirez v. Kraft...more
Food labeling class actions brought on behalf of allegedly deceived consumers have become increasingly commonplace, especially in hotbed jurisdictions like California, New York, and Illinois. Labeling cases are, not unlike...more
In the July edition of the Food & Beverage Digest, our roundup of court cases and regulations affecting the food, beverage, agribusiness, and cosmetics industries, one plaintiff is not tolerant of dairy-free coffee creamer,...more
In recent years, class action litigation concerning the labeling of food and beverage products has become increasingly prevalent around the country. According to one report, as of November 2021, class-action lawsuits against...more
Over the past several years, federal courts have rarely allowed slack-fill class actions to survive beyond the motion to dismiss phase. Whether the plaintiffs allege that the packaging is misleading or that the slack-fill is...more
New York federal courts have recently shown a willingness to dismiss implausible mislabeling claims on the pleadings. The recent dismissal of three consumer class actions—all filed by the same plaintiff’s counsel—suggests...more
A New Jersey federal court dismissed slack-fill claims against the manufacturer of Junior Mints and Sugar Babies products. Plaintiff Regan Iglesia purchased Junior Mints in 2017 and claimed that the boxes of the challenged...more
Judge Richard Seeborg of the Northern District of California recently ruled in favor of Miyoko’s Kitchen in a suit concerning Miyoko’s labeling of its plant-based spread as “vegan butter.” In doing so, Judge Seeborg...more
We recently blogged about Champion Petfoods’ success in a Minnesota district court case alleging that it misrepresented the quality of its dog food and ingredients. Well, Champion Petfoods came back to defend its title in...more
When consumers make grocery store runs to pick up vanilla ice cream or vanilla almond milk, are they concerned with whether the product is derived solely or primarily from vanilla beans versus being simply vanilla flavored?...more
Federal courts continue to demonstrate lacking patience for nationwide product labeling class actions premised on purported label misstatements regarding the sourcing of vanilla flavoring....more
The Munich District Court I ruled by judgment of 3 December 2020 (17 HK O 5744/20) that an advertisement of a manufacturer of fish products with a handsome older model or "best ager" in front of a maritime backdrop was not a...more
In an order issued on July 20, Judge Raag Singhal of the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida dismissed a class action lawsuit that claimed Burger King Corporation’s advertising deceived customers by making...more