An appeals court in New Mexico has affirmed a trial court’s decision to dismiss claims that a horse rancher’s family became ill as a result of exposure to horse feed containing an antibiotic toxic to horses. Parkhill v. Alderman-Cave Milling & Grain Co., No. 29,120 (N. M. Ct. App., decided October 6, 2010). The parties settled claims that the feed sickened or killed horses from several of the plaintiffs’ horse ranches, and the trial court dismissed claims, as a sanction for discovery abuse, that the family’s personal health was affected by exposure to the feed. The appeals court did not reach the sanctions issue, finding that the lower court properly excluded the testimony of the plaintiffs’ experts. The toxin involved was monensin, an antibiotic that is a common additive to feed for livestock, but prohibited in horse feed. The plaintiffs alleged that immediately after contact with the feed they developed skin…
Category Archives U.S. Circuit Courts
A federal court in New Jersey has granted the defendant’s unopposed motion to extinguish the stay in a lawsuit contending that Snapple beverage products are falsely advertised as “natural” because they contain high-fructose corn syrup, a purportedly non-natural ingredient. Holk v. Snapple Beverage Corp., No. 07-3018 (D.N.J., decided October 15, 2010) (unpublished). The court had stayed the litigation pending the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reaching a decision about the definition of “natural.” According to the court’s order, “The FDA in response has declined to address that issue.” Noting that another district court in New Jersey has lifted a stay imposed for the same reason in similar litigation (Coyle v. Hornell Brewing Co.), the court agreed to reopen the case, but refused to reinstate the motions that were pending when the case was “administratively terminated.” The court ordered the parties “to move again, upon new notices of motion and in accordance with…
A federal court in California has dismissed on preemption and standing grounds a number of state-law claims against The Quaker Oats Co. in a lawsuit alleging that the company falsely advertises its Chewy Bars® as containing “0 grams trans fat” when the ingredient list labeling includes hydrogenated vegetable oil. Chacanaca v. The Quaker Oats Co., No. 10-0502 (N.D. Cal., decided October 14, 2010). So ruling, the court lifted a discovery stay order and scheduled a case management conference for December 16, 2010. The defendant sought judgment on the pleadings at the outset of the action, arguing that “the doctrines of express preemption, primary jurisdiction, and Article III standing warrant immediate dismissal of the entire case.” The court agreed to dismiss all state-law deception claims involving the “0 grams trans fat” statement, the “good source” of calcium and fiber statements and a statement that the product contains whole grain oats but lacks…
Twenty-seven waiters, busboys and others at New York City’s Del Posto restaurant have reportedly filed a lawsuit against owner Mario Batali and partners Joseph and Lidia Bastianich, claiming that they were not paid a legal wage. The plaintiffs allege that the restaurant’s managers pooled workers’ tips in violation of state labor laws and wrongfully withheld a portion of the gratuities on wine and cheese sales. The tip pool was allegedly divided on the basis of a point system, and the plaintiffs also reportedly contend that staff working banquets did not get their proper share of the service charge billed to customers, instead receiving a flat fee. The suit, which is at least the third involving a Batali-owned facility, seeks back pay, unspecified damages and attorney’s fees. See msnbc.com, October 12, 2010.
A federal court in California has approved a motion for preliminary approval of a class action settlement in litigation involving allegedly fraudulent claims that Kellogg Co.’s Frosted Mini-Wheats® cereal “was clinically shown to improve children’s attentiveness by nearly 20%.” Dennis v. Kellogg Co., No. 09-1786 (S.D. Cal., decided October 14, 2010). The settlement class consists of everyone in the United States who bought the product between January 2008 and October 2009. The company has agreed to create a $2.75 million fund “to provide cash payments to class members who submit valid Claim Forms. Class members may recover the full purchase price of the cereal they purchased ($5 per box), up to three boxes.” Any funds remaining will be “distributed to appropriate charities pursuant to the cy pres doctrine.” The company will also distribute specified food items valued at $5.5 million to charities feeding the indigent and will pay the costs of…
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) have been sued in federal court under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for their alleged failure to produce data and research relating to the herbicide atrazine. Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. v. HHS, No. 10-1713 (D.D.C., filed October 7, 2010). According to the complaint, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is conducting a comprehensive atrazine review that includes the research of a NIEHS research scientist who worked for EPA in the past. The plaintiff allegedly sought the researcher’s data from EPA, but was told she had taken all of her material to NIEHS. NIEHS has allegedly failed to respond to the plaintiff’s request for data, information and reports related to Dr. Suzanne Fenton’s research on atrazine. The plaintiff alleges, “It is critical that NIEHS promptly provide the requested information to allow for meaningful…
A putative class action has been filed in a federal court in Florida against POM Wonderful, LLC and its holding company, alleging that the defendants deceived consumers in the state by making health-benefit claims for POM’s pomegranate juices, pills, extracts, and concentrated liquids. Cortez v. POM Wonderful, LLC, No. 10-23680 (S.D. Fla., filed October 13, 2010). Alleging damages in excess of $5 million, the named plaintiff cites the Food and Drug Administration’s warning letter to the company and the Federal Trade Commission’s recently filed administrative complaint to support claims that the company’s representation about its products are “false and misleading.” Among the product claims alleged to be false are that it will prevent, mitigate and/or treat atherosclerosis, blood flow/pressure, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, LDL cholesterol, and other age-related medical conditions. Seeking to certify a statewide class of consumers who bought the products from September 29, 2006, to the…
A company that makes name- and store-brand food products, including cereals, granola products, pastas, and bakery goods, has sued the supplier of soybean food ingredients allegedly contaminated with Salmonella, seeking in excess of $7 million in damages. Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. v. Thumb Oilseed Producers’ Coop., No. 10-1898 (E.D. Mo., filed October 8, 2010). According to the complaint, the companies contracted for the purchase of the defendant’s soy grits under an agreement that guaranteed they would be suitable for human consumption and that the defendant would indemnify and pay damages to the plaintiff for any warranty breaches. Plaintiff Ralcorp Holdings alleges that it incorporated most of the soy grits into its products, specifically granola bars and trail mixes, for sale to a number of retail companies with which Ralcorp had also contracted. Before delivering the final products, Ralcorp claims that it discovered the soy grit ingredient “was, and had been at…
Darden Concepts, Inc. has filed a trademark infringement action against a TGI Friday’s franchisee located in San Diego, California, alleging that its use of “Never Ending Shrimp” to promote one of its menu offerings infringes the “Never Ending Pasta Bowl” mark that Darden has registered and used in its Olive Garden restaurants for 15 years. Darden Concepts, Inc. v. Briad Restaurant Group, L.L.C., No. 10-2077 (S.D. Cal., filed October 6, 2010). Darden alleges that use of the “Never Ending Shrimp” mark has the potential to confuse the public and will mislead consumers to believe that TGI Friday’s restaurants are affiliated with Darden’s Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants. Darden alleges violations of federal and state law and seeks injunctive relief, all profits and damages resulting from defendant’s infringing activities, treble damages, attorney’s fees, and costs.
A Kansas resident has filed a putative class action in state court against POM Wonderful, LLC, alleging that the company’s claims that its pomegranate products have special health benefits are false, deceptive and misleading. Haynes v. POM Wonderful, LLC, No. CV08720 (Kan. Dist. Ct., Johnson Cty., filed September 29, 2010). Seeking to certify a statewide class of consumers, the plaintiff refers to actions that advertising watchdogs and government agencies have taken against the company, including the recent Federal Trade Commission administrative complaint, after purportedly determining that the company does not have a sufficient scientific basis to make health-related representations about its products. The plaintiff alleges violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and unjust enrichment and seeks damages in excess of $25,000, attorney’s fees and costs.
