A jury in an Iowa federal court has reportedly determined that International
Flavors and Fragrances Inc. (IFF) was not liable for the lung condition a man
allegedly developed from microwaving popcorn containing diacetyl, a butter
flavoring ingredient used in the product. Stults v. Int’l Flavors & Fragrances
Inc., No. 11-4077 (U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D. Iowa, verdict entered August 19, 2014).
The plaintiff claimed that the company had breached the implied warranty
of fitness for its butter flavoring, which had a foreseeable use in microwave
popcorn packages. IFF was the only remaining defendant during the seven-day
trial out of some half-dozen companies originally sued for $27 million in
compensatory damages. See Law360, August 20, 2014.

 

Issue 535

About The Author

For decades, manufacturers, distributors and retailers at every link in the food chain have come to Shook, Hardy & Bacon to partner with a legal team that understands the issues they face in today's evolving food production industry. Shook attorneys work with some of the world's largest food, beverage and agribusiness companies to establish preventative measures, conduct internal audits, develop public relations strategies, and advance tort reform initiatives.

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