By Ricardo Carvajal – As we noted in a prior posting, several courts have stayed or dismissed class actions based on the doctrine of primary jurisdiction in cases that raise the question of whether a GMO-containing food can properly be labeled as “natural.” In response to …
By Ricardo Carvajal – In the latest major rulemaking initiative under the Food Safety Modernization Act ("FSMA"), FDA issued a proposed rule to implement provisions of FSMA that address intentional adulteration. Further below we summarize major provisions of the proposed rule. However, we note at the outset …
By JP Ellison – In early 2014, the Supreme Court will meet in conference to decide whether to hear a case concerning whether, and to what extent, a private party can pursue a Lanham Act claim based on labeling regulated under the FDC Act. The Court will …
By Ricardo Carvajal – A California district court granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss in a putative class action brought by Plaintiffs who alleged that certain plant-based beverages, including soymilk, almond milk, and coconut milk, were misbranded because FDA defines “milk” as being derived from lactating cows. …
By Riëtte van Laack & Wes Siegner – Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. has filed comments to FDA’s Draft Guidance on Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Foods – Second Edition. As discussed in a prior post, FDA’s Draft Guidance seeks to establish a policy with respect …
By Riëtte van Laack – In addition to the many (more than 20,000) comments to FDA on the draft rules regarding Produce and Preventive Controls implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (“FSMA”) (Docket Nos. FDA-2011-N-0920 and FDA-2011-N-0921), FDA has received a flurry of letters from Congress …
Next Wednesday, December 12th, the ABA Section of Litigation, Products Liability Committee is sponsoring a live audio program titled “Understanding criminal prosecution of food and supplement companies (and their corporate officers) under the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act: Best practices to avoid becoming the next …
By Ricardo Carvajal – The National Nanotechnology Initiative ("NNI") released its draft 2014 Strategic Plan for comment. The draft plan lays out the NNI’s goals and objectives, which remain largely unchanged from 2011 (see here). As with the 2011 Plan, the draft 2014 Plan includes a …
By Ricardo Carvajal – Colorado’s Department of Revenue recently published retail marijuana rules to implement that state’s Retail Marijuana Code (“RMC”). C.R.S. 12-43.4-101 et seq. The rules took effect on October 15, and are the culmination of a change in Colorado law that began with an …
By Ricardo Carvajal – We previously reported on a case – Wilson v. Frito-Lay North America, Inc. – in which a federal district court held that statements on a food company’s website do not constitute labeling even though the labels of some products include a reference …
The Grocery Manufacturers Association ("GMA") is presenting a webinar on GRAS self-determinations for food ingredients next Tuesday, October 29 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. EST. The webinar is intended to help food businesses understand applicable requirements and avoid missteps in ingredient safety assessments, and will …
By Ricardo Carvajal – This past Monday, the European Food Law Association held its third conference on developments in food law in the EU and US. The conference was devoted entirely to the subject of food recalls and related public alerts, and the significant impact that …
By Riëtte van Laack – Jensen Farms, (the Jensens), the growers facing criminal charges related to the deadly 2011 listeria outbreak linked to their cantaloupes, are suing Primus Group, Inc. d/b/a/ Primus Labs (Primus) alleging that the food safety consultants who audited the Jensens’ facilities shortly …
By Riëtte van Laack – As previously reported, the American Meat Institute (“AMI”) and several international meat industry organizations filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop the Agricultural Marketing Service ("AMS") of the USDA from implementing the Country of Origin Labeling ("COOL") rule. On …
By Ricardo Carvajal – People have been eating insects for thousands of years, and the practice certainly has its devotees in the U.S. Notwithstanding that history of consumption, industrial production of insects for food use has remained a rarity. Now there are signs of a …
