Legal
Featured Legal Content
Ben & Jerry’s Sues Unilever For Blocking Public Stance on Gaza
Tensions are rising between Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company, Unilever. The mission-driven ice cream maker filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit claiming it has repeatedly blocked the brand’s attempts to take a public stance on the war in Gaza.
CPG Week: Deceptive Labeling & Class Action Lawsuits
On CPG Week, the podcast team talks about a number of lawsuits across food and beverage including another chapter in the PB&J wars and a couple deceptive labeling complaints for growing brands.
CA Closes The Door On Hemp-Derived THC Products
Citing concerns over public health, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom proposed on Friday an emergency regulation that will heavily restrict “intoxicating hemp products.”
Additional Content
In the Courtroom: Kraft-Heinz Suit Sets Patent Precedent, Mott’s Sued for ‘Natural’ Claims
From patent restrictions and investor complaints to false labeling claims, these are the cases creating — or aiming to clean up — messy food dealings.
Halo Top, Mars Inc. Fight Trademark Suits
Food fights are breaking out in court. HaloTop, Mars Inc, KerryGold and Chobani all found themselves in legal battles spanning trademark infringements to reports of assault over the past month. Here’s what we know so far about the cases, why they were filed, and what they could mean for the companies involved.
The Skinny on the Snyder’s-Lance Trademark Battle
Amplify Snack Brands, the company behind SkinnyPop Popcorn, and snack giant Snyder’s-Lance began a legal battle over the word “skinny” last week. Amplify filed a federal trademark infringement and unfair competition lawsuit against Snyder’s over the company’s plans to start selling its newly acquired popcorn brand, Metcalfe’s Skinny, in the U.S.
New Food Dye Bill Could Have Suppliers Seeing Red
Earlier this month, State Senator Bob Wieckowski, a Democrat, introduced California SB 504, a bill that would require warning labels on all food containing synthetic dyes, including those sold in restaurants. It’s an issue that may cause food manufacturers to reconsider their use of synthetic colors not just in California, but nationwide.
Legal Experts Talk About How Brands Can Stay Out of Court
At a time when a federal district court in California has been nicknamed “The Food Court” because of the number of consumer actions it has addressed, it’s become apparent that building a brand is about more than just growing sales, it’s about protecting those sales in the face of potential legal action.
In the News: American Egg Board Tried To Scramble Hampton Creek’s Success
Recent articles published by The Guardian and the Associated Press reported that members of the American Egg Board, a government-backed lobbying group, engaged in a long-running campaign intended to debilitate sales and distribution growth of Hampton Creek’s Just Mayo, a product that is formulated without eggs.
FDA Says “Just Mayo” Isn’t Actually Mayo
What do you do when your signature product’s name is deemed unacceptable by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? That’s the situation Hampton Creek is in after the government agency sent a warning letter to the company regarding its Just Mayo brand.