Mass Torts vs. Class Actions: A Tale of Two Strategies
Eighth Circuit Reverses Dismissal of Putative Class Claims
Class Action | Eleventh Circuit Reinstates No Hire Antitrust Claims Against Burger King
John Lewis of BakerHostetler Discusses Use of Social Media in Gawker Class Action
Wearables and the Future of Intellectual Property Law
Several recent cases arising under the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA” or the “Act”), 21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq., highlight the usefulness of preemption as a defense against putative class actions concerning drugs,...more
MASSACHUSETTS - First Circuit Holds Putative Class Action Claims Alleging Deceptive Practices In Labeling of Lactase Product As Dietary Supplement Instead Of Drug When Product Claimed To Treat Lactose Intolerance...more
Our weekly roundup aims to keep our readers up to date on recent notable rulings in the food & consumer packaged goods space. Stephen Dunn, et al. v. Ancient Brands LLC, No. 5:21-cv-00390-LEK-ML (September 15, 2023): The...more
We invite you to enjoy a review of the food and beverage industry with bite size articles ranging from regulatory and real estate trends to litigation and M&A happenings. The past two years have seen significant changes...more
Insurers have prevailed in several lawsuits filed by restaurants in connection with losses related to COVID-19. For example, in Emerald Coast Restaurants, Inc. v. Aspen Specialty Ins. Co., No. 3:20cv5898-TKW-HTC, 2020 WL...more
Despite the legalization of cannabis sales in many states and Congress’s removal of hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) from the list of scheduled drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, recent events serve as a...more
A recent Eleventh Circuit decision took a broad view of what type of economic injury is sufficient to confer Article III standing, concluding that two dietary supplement companies’ alleged violations of a federal statute...more
A California federal judge tossed a proposed class action against allegedly “worthless” biotin dietary supplements on preemption grounds earlier this week, citing the Ninth Circuit’s recent decision in Dachauer v. NBTY, Inc.,...more
A magistrate judge in the Northern District of California recently dismissed a putative class action alleging that Trader Joe’s misled its consumers about the purity of its manuka honey. Moore v. Trader Joe’s Co., No....more
Did Nivea’s claims for its Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion push the product into the category of a drug requiring approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?...more
Massachusetts state and federal courts issued a number of important product liability decisions in 2018. The Product Liability practice group at Nutter recently reviewed these cases. Highlighted below are some of the key...more
On December 20, 2018, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal without leave to amend of a putative class action complaint against Blue Diamond Growers, which alleged that the term “almond milk” on Blue Diamond’s beverages...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - Personal Care Products Legislation Introduced in Congress - Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.) has introduced the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2018, which would...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - ASA Upholds Complaints Against Ads Targeting Children - The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld the Obesity Health Alliance’s complaints against advertisements...more
We often cover cases in which false advertising claims brought under state law are challenged as preempted by a federal regulatory scheme. Poland Spring was a recent target of state law false advertising claims, and...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - Hawaii Bans Two Sunscreen Ingredients - The Hawaii legislature has passed a law that will prohibit the sale or distribution of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate after...more
Senate Committee Proposes Cosmetics Regulation Amendment - The Senate Committee on Health has released a discussion draft of a proposed amendment to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) that would establish greater...more
USDA Withdraws Organic Livestock and Poultry Rule - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule withdrawing the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule, leaving existing organic regulations in...more
A California federal court judge rejected both puffery and preemption arguments when it denied Dr. Pepper Snapple Group’s motion to dismiss a putative class action challenging the labeling for its Canada Dry Ginger Ale....more
Chicago Repeals SSB Tax After Two Months of Enforcement - Chicago officials have voted to repeal a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax approved in November 2016 by the Cook County Board of Commissioners but delayed by a...more
As plant-based beverages appear on more store shelves, the definition of “milk” has become the center of a dispute involving legislatures, regulators, litigators and industry groups. Shook Partners Katie Gates Calderon and...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
The Southern District of New York recently dismissed a putative class action against Cytosport, the maker of Muscle Milk protein powder. The plaintiff, Orlando Bautista, alleged that he bought a container of Muscle Milk...more
Massachusetts Federal Court Dismisses Putative Class Action Because Defendant’s Unconditional Checks for Named Plaintiff’s Maximum Damages, Even Though Uncashed, Mooted Suit - In Demmler v. ACH Food Companies, Civil No....more
A district judge in the Northern District of California pressed pause on a mislabeling suit involving “natural” claims pending the outcome of two Ninth Circuit appeals. Astiana v. The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., et al.,...more