CSPI Newsroom
Come to CSPI's Newsroom for the latest information about the on-going fight for safe, healthy food.
CSPI Urges Congress to Address Child Nutrition Before August Recess
July 29, 2010
Statement of CSPI Nutrition Policy Director Margo G. Wootan
Congress has a lot on its plate this legislative session, but it needs to address what's on kids' plates: now! Renewal of the Child Nutrition programs has been delayed for a year. Our children can't wait any longer.
Lawsuit Over Deceptive Vitaminwater Claims to Proceed
July 23, 2010
Court Finds Coke in Violation of Various FDA Regs and Denies Its Motion to Dismiss the Lawsuit
WASHINGTON—A federal judge has denied Coca-Cola’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit over what the Center for Science in the Public Interest says are deceptive and unsubstantiated claims on the company’s “vitaminwater” line of soft drinks. The company claims that vitaminwater variously reduces the risk of chronic disease, reduces the risk of eye disease, promotes healthy joints, and supports optimal immune function, and uses health buzz words such as “defense,” “rescue,” “energy,” and “endurance” on labels.
Besides denying Coca-Cola’s motion to dismiss, the ruling contains other bad omens for the company. Judge John Gleeson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York found that the company’s use of the word “healthy” violates the Food and Drug Administration’s regulations on vitamin-fortified foods. The FDA’s so-called “Jelly Bean” rule prohibits companies from making health claims on junk foods that only meet various nutrient thresholds via fortification. The judge also found that vitaminwater’s claim on the “focus” flavor of vitaminwater that it “may reduce the risk of age-related eye disease” runs afoul of FDA regulations.
In Europe, Dyed Foods Get Warning Label
July 20, 2010
Products with Yellow 5, Red 40, Other Dyes “May Have an Adverse Effect on Activity and Attention in Children”
WASHINGTON—Starting today in the European Union, most foods that contain artificial food dyes must bear warning labels stating that the food “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” As a practical matter, it’s unclear exactly how many foods will have to use that language on labels, since dyes were never as widely used in Europe as in the United States. Also, the British government asked companies to remove most dyes by last December 31st. The Center for Science in the Public Interest says it hopes the European labeling rule gets the attention of officials at the Food and Drug Administration, which to date has not shown interest in protecting American consumers from the controversial dyes, as well as American companies—including those that are not using dyes in Europe.
House Education and Labor Committee Approves Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill
July 15, 2010
Statement of CSPI Director of Nutrition Policy Margo G. Wootan
The Center for Science in the Public Interest congratulates Chairman George Miller and strongly supports his Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act (H.R. 5504), which passed out of the House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee today.
Should Taxpayers Subsidize Soda?
July 15, 2010
Scientists Question Whether Federal Nutrition Assistance Funds Should Be Used to Buy Obesity-Promoting Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
The soft drink industry receives a $4 billion subsidy from taxpayers each year, according to an editorial published today in the American Journal of Public Health.
