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
Late last month, San Francisco resident Kirstin Cobbs initiated a class action lawsuit against poppi after purchasing its product, poppi prebiotic soda, believing the product to be “gut healthy.” Poppi sodas are packaged in...more
On June 9, 2023, the Ninth Circuit in McGinity v. The Procter & Gamble Company, No. 22-15080 (9th Cir. 2023) held that a food manufacturer could rely on an ingredients list panel located on the back of the challenged product...more
In 1970, California enacted the Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), creating what remains the most comprehensive state consumer protection statute in the country. Under the CLRA, consumers who bought goods or services that...more
On June 11, 2022, Plaintiffs Matthew Sinatro and Jessica Prost filed a class action lawsuit in the Northern District of California against the Barilla pasta company over alleged false advertising....more
Takeaway: Context matters in false advertising class actions. Factors such as how an allegedly false representation is displayed, where it is displayed, and what else is disclosed on the label or advertisement all can...more
Conagra Brands recently emerged victorious when Judge William H. Orrick of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted summary judgment in its favor, tossing claims that the company disguises the...more
Last month, a judge in the Southern District of California partially dismissed a putative class action against beverage company Bai Brands, LLC (“Bai”) and related defendants. Branca v. Bai Brands, LLC, No. 18-00757 (S.D....more
2018 Food Industry Decisions with Bite - Food for Thought is a review of significant court decisions affecting the food, beverage, dietary supplements and personal care products industry. Although many cases in this...more
Newman v. Dierbergs Markets, Inc., No. 1822-CC00194 (Mo. Cir. Ct. – St. Louis): Putative class action asserting violations of Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act, and raising a claim for unjust enrichment. Plaintiff...more
Kelly v. Cameron’s Coffee and Distribution Company, No. 1816-CV00470 (Mo. Cir. Ct. – Jackson Cnty.): Putative class action asserting violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant...more
Court Grants Motion to Dismiss Class Action Involving Organic Baby Formula - Organic Consumers Association v. The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., No. 1:16-cv-00925 (D.D.C.): The Court entered an order granting Defendant’s...more
On August 1, 2017, plaintiff Raymond Alvandi filed a putative class action in California federal court against Annie’s, Inc., seeking damages and injunctive and declaratory relief. Alvandi alleges that Annie’s misrepresented...more
Food for Thought is a review of significant court decisions affecting the food, beverage, dietary supplements and personal care products industry. Although many cases in this edition focus on class certification, others...more
On December 6, 2016, United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt for the Central District of California denied a motion to stay a class action alleging violations of the UCL, FAL, and CLRA against Kraft Foods Group, Inc....more
No Shades of Gray in Order Banning Supplement Claims - In a case based on a referral from the National Advertising Division, the Federal Trade Commission obtained summary judgment and a final order against an advertiser...more
A new putative consumer class action claiming damages in excess of $5,000,000 was filed earlier this month in the Northern District of California against Goya Foods, Inc. (“Goya”). The plaintiff, a purchaser of Goya octopus...more
Northern District of California Judge William Orrick recently denied class certification in two food misbranding class actions challenging antioxidant claims for Bigelow green and black teas. Khasin v. R.C Bigelow Inc., Case...more
Judge Richard Seeborg of the Northern District of California ruled earlier this month in Hodsdon v. Mars, Inc., Case No. 3:15-cv-04450, that neither the FAL, the UCL, nor the CLRA require a company to disclose on its labels...more
This Newsletter Aims to keep those in the food industry up to speed on developments in food labeling and nutritional content litigation. RECENT SIGNIFICANT RULINGS - Class Certification Denied In Popcorners “All...more
THIS NEWSLETTER AIMS to keep those in the food industry up to speed on developments in food labeling and nutritional content litigation. RECENT SIGNIFICANT RULINGS - District Court Dismisses and Stays False...more
In This Issue: - RECENT SIGNIFICANT RULINGS ..Court Dismisses in Part “Natural” Claims ..Court Enters Partial Dismissal of “Handmade” Claims ..Court Dismisses Injunctive Relief Claim Allows...more
On December 8, 2014, U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted defendant Dole’s motion for summary judgment of the plaintiff’s false labeling claims in...more
In This Issue: - Recent Significant Developments And Rulings ..Voluntary Dismissal in Frito-Lay Pretzel Case ..Court Denies Motion to Dismiss in Florida "Natural" Action ..Court Embraces Standing...more
In This Issue: - Decisions ..Court Dismisses In Part for Lack of Specificity ..Court Dismisses Evaporated Cane Juice Claims Where Labels Disclosed Sugar Content ..Court Dismisses In Part for Lack of...more