UPDATE: The Revival of ECJ Lawsuits*
- *This is an update to a previous post on the Class Dismissed blog, seen here. On June 8, 2017, Judge Carney dismissed Plaintiff’s class action Complaint because she failed to provide specifics about her own Sports Beans purchase. The court held that the Complaint... ›
The Revival of ECJ Lawsuits: Sweet Tooth For Plaintiffs, or Toothless Claims?
Introduction. On May 22, 2017, plaintiff Jessica Gomez filed an opposition on behalf of a putative class of consumers urging a federal district court judge not to dismiss her lawsuit against Jelly Belly Co. (“Jelly Belly”) for allegedly misleading consumers by listing “evaporated cane... ›Ninth Circuit Revives Gerber Baby Food Class Action
By: Claudia M. Vetesi
Bruton v. Gerber, No. 15-15174. The district court had dismissed Plaintiff’s unjust enrichment claim, denied class certification for lack of an “ascertainable class,” and granted summary judgment to Gerber because Plaintiff lacked evidence of deception. The Ninth Circuit reversed the rulings and remanded the... ›Judge Koh Issues First Blow to “Added Sugars” Plaintiffs
By: Claudia M. Vetesi
The Big Picture: On Tuesday, Judge Koh granted Kellogg’s Motion to Dismiss in its entirety in Hadley v. Kellogg Sales Company , No. 5:16-cv-04955-LHK (N.D. Cal.). Hadley is one of three cases [1] against well-known cereal makers pending in the Northern District of California.... ›To Your Health: FDA Redefining the Term “Healthy” on Food Labels
On September 27, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has begun a public process to redefine the term “healthy” on food labels. As part of the public process, the FDA is soliciting input from consumers and businesses on their... ›A Berry Mixed Decision: Consumer Class Action Challenging Packaging of “Himalania” Goji Berries Largely Survives Motion to Dismiss
On September 2, 2016, United States District Judge Dean P. Pregerson for the Central District of California granted in part and denied in part a motion to dismiss a class action complaint alleging violations of the UCL and CLRA against defendants that market and... ›President Signs Federal GMO Food Labeling Bill
By: Claudia M. Vetesi
On July 29, 2016, President Obama signed into law the federal genetically engineered (GE) food labeling bill (S. 764). The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 14, 2016, 306-117, with broad bipartisan support. The Senate had previously passed the final bill,... ›Warning Labels Suit Not Suitable for Preliminary Injunction
In American Beverage Association v. City and County of San Francisco , No. 3:15-cv-03415-EMC, decided on May 17, 2016, Northern District Judge Edward Chen denied a preliminary injunction against enforcement of a San Francisco ordinance that requires a warning label on every advertisement for... ›Nationwide GE Labeling Leaps Forward
Four years after California’s genetically engineered (GE) food labeling initiative was defeated, but just days before Vermont’s GE law is to go into effect, the U.S. Senate is poised to impose such labeling nationwide. The proposed legislation is the result of a compromise of... ›The Devil’s in the Details: Court Dismisses “Made in the U.S.A.” Fraud Claims against Heinz Because Plaintiff Failed to Allege Specific Facts and Lacked Standing to Sue for Products She Did Not Purchase
On April 22, 2016, in Alaei v. Kraft Heinz Food Co. (“Heinz”), No. 3:15-cv-02961, Southern District of California Judge Michael M. Anello granted defendant Heinz’s motion to dismiss without prejudice plaintiff Suzanne Alaei’s “Made in the U.S.A.” false advertising claims. The court held that... ›