Milk Allergen Recall Spawns Supply-Chain Litigation
A company that supplies specialty ingredients such as vitamins, chemicals and carotenoids to food producers has sued one of its suppliers, alleging that the company was forced to recall from customers more than 33,000 pounds of chromium amino acid chelate after learning that it contained a milk allergen. DSM Nutritional Prods., LLC v. Triarco Indus., Inc., No. C1928-12 (N.J. Super Ct., Morris Cty., filed July 26, 2012). The plaintiff also allegedly reported the matter to the Food and Drug Administration through the Reportable Food Registry.
According to the complaint, in 2009, the defendant completed a questionnaire
designed to inform the plaintiff “of the existence of any allergens or
their derivatives contained in the product” sold to the plaintiff. “Not until July
27, 2010,” however, “did Defendant correctly label the product as containing
a hydrolyzed milk protein, thus advising [the plaintiff] that Defendant’s
product contained a milk allergen.” Alleging breach of contract and violation
of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, promissory and equitable estoppel,
breach of contract implied in fact, quantum meruit, and breach of express
and implied warranty, the plaintiff seeks hundreds of thousands of dollars in
damages.
