Lawsuit

The CPG Week podcast covers lawsuits against Chobani and Uncle Nearest Whiskey as well as Beyond’s name-change.

The J.M. Smucker Company has settled its lawsuit accusing now-defunct frozen sandwich startup Chubby Snacks of false advertising, trademark violations and disparagement in “years of advertising designed to tarnish the name and reputation” of Smucker’s competing Uncrustables brand.

BellRing Brands, maker of Premier Protein and Dymatize, is facing down a swarm of lawyers as multiple law firms specializing in shareholders rights have announced investigations into the publicly traded CPG company over allegations it violated securities laws.

Where is Aimee Yang? The BetterBrand founder and her company have been sued for a half-million dollars by a company lender, but they haven’t been able to find her.

This week, the podcast team explores an antitrust lawsuit centered around protein bar David’s acquisition of its supplier Epogee. Next, the hosts look toward regulatory headwinds in hemp drinks and why there are signs of optimism despite retail setbacks. Finally, the team looks at candy maker Joyride’s new $30 million funding round before discussing the future of plant-based cheese.

Last week’s blockbuster investment news about David – including a $75 million round from investors and a post-money valuation of $725 million, according to co-founder Peter Rahal – is also creating a supply chain gridlock for a number of other brands.

Cuts across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have hit the FDA especially hard. Hear why former Human Foods Deputy Commissioner Jim Jones is now questioning the agency’s ability to keep functioning.

Today, attorneys general from 19 states and Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit in Rhode Island federal court challenging staffing cuts across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Those cuts have reduced the department’s headcount by one-quarter, impacting nearly 20,000 employees over the course of the past three months.

A pair of California convenience stores – Alqosh Enterprises Inc. and NMRM Inc. – sued Frito-Lay and its parent PepsiCo for illegally favoring large retailers over indie shops when selling its salty snacks.

Eat Well Investment Group is accusing Superlatus Foods of fraudulently selling its plant-based food tech platform to avoid contractual obligations and scamming $10 million in cash and common stock.