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
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
On December 13, 2023, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit overturned the District Court's dismissal of Nestle Healthcare Nutrition Inc.'s consumer false advertising claims and remanded the case to the District Court for...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
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
An Illinois man has filed a lawsuit against Buffalo Wild Wings, accusing the restaurant chain of misleading consumers into believing its boneless wings are actually chicken wings. Halim v. Buffalo Wild Wings Inc., No. 23-1495...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
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
Health-conscious consumers continue to challenge the sugar content in foods, including sugar appearing in other forms, such as “dehydrated cane juice solids.” But as one recent case shows, calling sugar by another name is not...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
Earlier this week, Judge Cynthia Bashant of the Southern District of California granted a plaintiff’s second bite at the apple (or rather biscuit) to certify a class of purchasers of belVita breakfast biscuits in McMorrow v....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
A Second Circuit panel recently affirmed the dismissal of a putative false advertising class action against Dunkin’ Brands, which alleged the company misled consumers as to the contents of products Dunkin’ described as “Angus...more
Last week U.S. District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton granted Ghirardelli’s Motion to Dismiss a proposed class action involving the chocolatier’s packaging of its white baking chips....more
FDA Warning Letters Provide Opportunity for Food-Safety Reminders During Viral and Bacterial Outbreaks - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning letters to Jimmy John’s Franchise, LLC and its supplier...more
On December 30, 2019, the Ninth Circuit held that Dr. Pepper’s use of the word “diet” to describe one of its soft drinks was not an implicit weight-loss promise that would deceive a reasonable consumer. - In October...more
A recently-filed consumer class action alleges that canned tuna producer, StarKist, misled consumers when they claimed their tuna products are “100% dolphin-safe” and “sustainable.” The class action is moving forward after...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - USDA Receives Hundreds Of Comments On Hemp Interim Rule - Two weeks after opening a comment period on an interim final rule on hemp farming, the U.S. Department of Agriculture...more
As of August 2019, overall food litigation filings are on pace with those of last year. California and New York remain the two most popular jurisdictions for food litigation matters. While California filings in 2019 are...more