Regulatory
Stay informed on the latest natural food industry regulatory updates involving the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or United States Department of Agriculture(USDA), as well as news regarding lawsuits, labeling and class-actions. Understand the evolving natural food regulatory and legal environment which can directly impact your product claims, intellectual property, packaging and ingredients.
Featured Regulatory Content
Texas Gov. Signs Executive Order to Create Legal Hemp Framework
Texas governor Greg Abbott has signed an executive order mandating age restrictions on the sale of hemp-derived THC products, roughly three months after he vetoed a bill that would have outlawed the intoxicant entirely in the Lone Star State.
Smucker, Chubby Snacks Settle Trademark Suit
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.
Lawyers Call ‘Fraud’ on BellRing Brands, But One Analyst is Optimistic
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.
Additional Content
News Roundup: Albertsons Launches Emerging Brand Competition; Cereal Maker Sues Rock Band
In this week’s roundup: Albertsons launches emerging brand competition; Post Holdings sues LA-based rock band OK Go; Whole Foods aims to increase store expansions three-fold; Campbell’s consolidates snack offices and SPAM gets stylish.
Albertsons: WA Supreme Court Clears Way For $4B Dividend
The Washington State Supreme Court has cleared the way for Albertsons to pay out a $4 billion shareholder dividend after it sided with a lower court trial judge in declining the state attorney general’s request to appeal an injunction on Tuesday.
Digital Advertising Has A Hemp Policy Problem
Digital advertising has become a nightmare for hemp food and beverage brands, regardless of whether or not their products contain CBD.
FDA Raises Vitamin D3 Fortification Levels, Allows Fortification in Nutrition Bars
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration made a small but notable move in nutrition standards this week, raising vitamin D fortification level allowances in cereal while expanding regulation to permit the nutrient’s addition in the bar category.
Study Sparks Debate Over Heavy Metals in Dark Chocolate
Both organic and conventional chocolate makers came under fire when a Consumer Reports study found potentially hazardous levels of lead and cadmium in 28 dark chocolate products. The issue became more complex when Trader Joe’s and Hershey’s, were served with class action lawsuits.
News Roundup: Pickle Wars, Low-Carbon Beef
Grillo’s is taking Wahlburgers to court over pickles, a data company unveils its cattle carbon credits at the CES Convention, Jenny Craig launches a ready-made, meal delivery platform and precision fermentation company Liberation Labs closes seed funding round.
Albertsons: WA Supreme Court Accelerates Dividend Review Schedule
The Washington State Supreme Court has accelerated the review process of a temporary block on grocery chain Albertsons’ $4 billion shareholder dividend. The expedited review, moved up to January 17 from its original date in February, aims to resolve questions over the payment.
Albertsons: D.C. Circuit Refuses To Pause Special Dividend
A Washington, D.C. Circuit court panel sided with Albertsons on Tuesday refusing to impose an emergency pause on the grocery chain’s planned $4 billion shareholder dividend filed in the court a month and a half ago.
Report: FDA’s Human Foods Program Lacks Vision, Leadership
A Reagan-Udall Foundation report released Tuesday said that the FDA’s Human Foods Program “requires adequate resources, sufficient authority, and a structure and culture that breeds success” to accomplish its goal of creating a safer food system.
Motif Files Four Petitions Against Impossible Heme Patents
Motif FoodWorks announced today it has filed four petitions with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to challenge aspects of Impossible Foods’ claim to heme-protein ingredients used in plant-based meat.