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
TikTok and Tariffs Stoke Supply Chain Tension
Between TikTok’s influence, tariff impacts and the MAHA movement, innovating across the CPG landscape is more complex than ever. We spoke with a range of stakeholders during SupplySide Global to see how they are navigating ever-changing demands and constraints.
CPG Week: Whole Foods Forecasts Top Trends. Plus, Death vs. Death
This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Avery dig into Whole Foods Market’s annual trends forecast and DayDayCook’s shift away from its recent brand acquisitions to focus on bitcoin. The podcasters also discuss the potential of a new food processing technology and the legal battle brewing between Liquid Death and Death Wish Coffee.
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.
Additional Content
Legal Roundup: KIND Cleared in ‘All-Natural’ Class Action; Kashi Sued For Pear-Filled Strawberry Bars
In this roundup: KIND is cleared in ‘All-Natural” class action suit, Kashi sued for misleading consumers with pear-filled, strawberry-flavored bars, Kellogg’s served for not putting enough whole grains in crackers and Sabra sued to remove its Kosher mark.
Caliper Holdings COO Steps Down, Company Moves Into Licensing
Caliper Holdings co-founder Jeremy Goldstein is stepping down as COO as the company moves into licensing agreement-based business model.
PBFI To Support Supply Chain Actors And Regenerative Food Systems
The Plant Based Food Association has created a new nonprofit arm, dubbed the Plant Based Food Institute, to address industry-related policies and effect change along every step in the industry’s value chain.
Last Crumb, Crumbl Battle the Over-Baked Supply Chain
DTC cookie brands, like virtually all other CPG brands, are still feeling the heat of the over-baked supply chain and inflation propelled by the lingering pandemic.
In the Courtroom: Kellogg’s Controversy Over Veggie Claims Continues; Dunkin’ And Beyond Meat Hit With Infringement Suit
In this courtroom roundup: Kellogg’s fight against misleading veggie claims returns, Beyond Meat and Dunkin’ sued by Philadelphia plant-based meat company over trademark infringement, Motif challenges Impossible’s heme-tech patent and more.
FDA Looks To Issue Guidance On Non-Listed Food Allergens
The Food and Drug Administration is now soliciting public comments to evaluate the importance of guidance on food allergens not named in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The final guidance aims to identify and rank allergens capable of inducing anaphylaxis.
Judge Rejects Whole Foods’ Claim That $15 Million Breach of Contract Suit Is Invalid
AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery’s case against Whole Foods Market is moving forward after U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash denied Whole Foods’ motion to throw out a $15 million breach of contract lawsuit. The case alleges the natural grocery chain prematurely and ‘abruptly’ broke a seven-year distribution contract with grass-fed dairy producer AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery and caused the business to go under.
IDFA Says New FDA Standard Identity of Yogurt Rules Are Outdated Already
The FDA announced last week that it will not enact specific provisions from the 2021 Yogurt Standard Of Identity (SOI) regulations after the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and Chobani filed six objections to specific articles regarding ingredients and processes used for yogurt production.
Free’ At Last? What The Miyoko’s Ruling Means for the Future of Plant-Based Food
Last week, plant-based cheese and butter maker Miyoko’s Creamery emerged victorious in what could be a landmark legal case for dairy and meat alternative CPG brands. Citing the company’s first amendment rights, a California judge ruled the company can continue to use terms such as “butter,” “lactose-free” and “cruelty-free.” However, while the case could provide plant-based brands with some much needed legal precedent to defend the practice of using meat and dairy terms on their labels, the fight ahead is anything but cut and dried.
Food Brands That Expose Children to Allergens Receive FDA Warning Letters
Citing concerns about unproven claims and potential violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Food and Drug Administration released warning letters this week that it had sent to a pair of food brands that offer children exposure to allergens in the hopes of warding off allergic reactions later in life. The agency gave both SpoonfulOne and Ready, Set Food! 15 days to reply to the letters or else risk legal action.