Stop Labeling Lies
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Have you been mislead by a label or marketing showing false information?
 
Taking it one victory at a time
  Alex Avery
October 31, 2007
ACSH Agrees rbST-Free Milk Marketing Misleading
  Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D.
August 29, 2007
Unfair Dairy Pricing Trends
  Alex Avery
August 13, 2007
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Recent Coalition Complaints
 

Below are examples of the growing number of complaints being filed by concerned consumer organizations and government regulators protesting abuses by companies who use false or misleading labels and associated deceptive marketing practices. These practices harm all consumers and damage the reputation of responsible businesses tainted by those few who seek a competitive edge by making false or misleading claims.

 
Have you been mislead by a label showing false information?
If so, please report it with our Report Misleading Labels Form.
 
We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Charlotte, North Carolina market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Bi-Lo retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Charlotte, North Carolina market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Food Lion retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Charlotte, North Carolina market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Harris Teeter retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Charlotte, North Carolina market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Home Economist Market retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to seek your assistance and to notify your office regarding the growing use of misleading labeling and marketing practices by certain dairy packagers selling milk in North Carolina. The Center for Global Food Issues is part of a coalition which has conducted research into the labeling, advertising and other marketing practices of various dairy packagers selling products for more than 5 years. We have recently completed in-store reviews of multiple outlets for five major retail grocery chains in the Charlotte, North Carolina market.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Charlotte, North Carolina market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Wal-Mart Supercenter retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Minneapolis, Minnesota market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Lunds Market and Byerly’s retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Minneapolis, Minnesota market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Costco retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Minneapolis, Minnesota market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Cub Foods retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to seek your assistance and to notify your office regarding the growing use of misleading labeling and marketing practices by certain dairy packagers selling milk in Minnesota. The Center for Global Food Issues is part of a coalition which has conducted research into the labeling, advertising and other marketing practices of various dairy packagers selling products for more than 5 years. We have recently completed in-store reviews of multiple outlets for eight major retail grocery chains in the Minneapolis, Minnesota market.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Minneapolis, Minnesota market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Rainbow Foods retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Super Fresh Food Market retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Minneapolis, Minnesota market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Super Target retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Minneapolis, Minnesota market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Trader Joe’s retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Minneapolis, Minnesota market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Whole Foods Market retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to seek your assistance and to notify your office regarding the growing use of misleading labeling and marketing practices by certain dairy packagers selling milk in Pennsylvania. The Center for Global Food Issues is part of a coalition which has conducted research into the labeling, advertising and other marketing practices of various dairy packagers selling products for more than 5 years. We have recently completed in-store reviews of multiple outlets for ten retail grocery chains in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania markets.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Acme Markets retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Karns Quality Foods retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Path Mark retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in ShopRite Markets retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Trader Joe’s retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Weis Markets retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in retail outlets in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania market. We are asking that you address these marketing issues specifically found in Whole Foods Markets retail stores. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers, and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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A recent complaint filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides detailed examples of the false and misleading nature of four nationally known brands of milk and dozens of other examples of milk label, advertising and web site claims which violate federal and state guidelines and regulations for the labeling and marketing of dairy products. Included among the dairies are Berkeley Farms, Clover Stornetta, Elmhurst and Pride of Main Street.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in D'Agostino retail outlets in the Northeast. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in Food Emporium retail outlets in the Northeast. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in Key Food retail outlets in the Northeast. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to bring to your attention serious consumer concerns regarding false and misleading dairy marketing and related practices found in Stop & Shop retail outlets in the Northeast. In addition to harming consumers, dairy producers and dairy processors, these concerns involve activities which potentially violate state and federal laws.
 
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We are writing to seek your assistance and to notify your office regarding the growing use of misleading labeling and marketing practices by certain dairy processors operating in Connecticut. The Center for Global Food Issues is part of a coalition which has conducted research into the labeling, advertising and other marketing practices of various dairy packagers selling products for more than 4 years.
 
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The Washington State Department of Agriculture's (WSDA) Food Safety Program is investigating concerns about a Vitamilk product label and advertising campaign. The program has been reviewing the new label and is concerned about labeling claims, such as no antibiotics, no added hormones, free-farmed, etc., that may be misleading to the consuming public.
 
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I am writing to update our group of consumer, agriculture and sound science coalition complaint to the Washington State Department of Agriculture dated May 16, 2002 (attached) to express our continuing concerns regarding the growing and apparently unchecked use of false and misleading labeling and marketing practices by certain dairy processors operating in Washington State.
 
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The Washington State Department of Agriculture's (WSDA) Food Safety Program has reviewed a new dairy product label being used by your company. The program is concerned that labeling claims such às no antibiotics, all natural, cows "raised and fed in a natural and healthy environment", etc, may be misleading to the consuming public.
 
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Enclosed please find our letter of introduction and materials that we are distributing to supermarkets throughout the New York/New Jersey area. We wanted to let you know that members of our coalition have been visiting D'Agostino's and King's supermarket stores over the past week to review the labels of products in your stores' dairy cases.
 
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We need your help, urgently. We are dairy producers in California. We care deeply about the animals that allow us to make a living. We also care about making sure the milk that we - and thousands of other dairy producers in the United States - produce is safe and healthy.
 
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Unscrupulous milk marketers using misleading production-based claims increase milk costs by $1.50 to $3.00 per gallon for consumer and causing milk prices to fall for family dairy farmers already being squeezed by record low milk prices.
 
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The Globe reports that false and misleading hormone-free milk labels are proliferating in Northern New England and that they appear to be part of a very effective marketing campaign based more on fear than facts.
 
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Based on a series of longstanding complaints by members of our Stop Labeling Lies coalition of concerned consumers and non-profit agriculture, sound science and public policy groups the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken the first steps in addressing false and misleading labeling. FDA has issued warning letters to dairies engaged in false marketing claims and has indicated that they will soon address the broader area of misleading claims.
 
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I am in receipt of your letter and appreciate your concerns. Of course we are sensitive to the need of assuring consumers that our advertising is both "truthful and not misleading." Accordingly, I have advised our Marketing Department to avoid any advertising or labeling that claims "rbST is a 'chemical steroid' or 'milk additive'."
 
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This acknowledges receipt of your March 18, 200Ç letter to Dr. Lester M. Crawford, regarding the labeling of milk and dairy products labeled as being free of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) or hormone free. Your letter was forwarded to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) for a response.
 
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Enclosed please find our letter of introduction and materials that we and a coalition of concerned consumers are distributing to supermarkets throughout the New York/New Jersey area. We wanted to let you know that members of our consumer coalition have recently examined Ahava milk labels and associated marketing materials. These materials include language and claims that raise several concerns.
 
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To: John Dyer, Senior Staff Counsel California My earlier letter to your department clearly states that we have not received a reply to our public records act request. As your office had declined to act on the various complaints filed, we have clearly and reasonably requested to view the records associated with all the outstanding complaints, results of investigations if any took place, records of related meetings, materials upon which lack of enforcement decisions were made, etc.
 
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My apologies for directing this letter specifically to your attention; however, I was specifically instructed to do so by a member of your staff William Bordessa following a meeting with Mr. Bordessa, William Macey and two other staffers with the dairy control board of the California Department of Food and Agriculture on February 6, 2003.
 
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RE: Milk & Milk Product Labeling Practices. The Food Industry Alliance (FIA) of New York State is a statewide trade association in New York representing the full spectrum of the grocery industry. FIA's members include large interstate, multi-unit chain stores, independent supermarkets, convenience stores, and small neighborhood grocers as well as distributors, wholesalers and cooperatives - in total over 21,000 food stores.
 
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Maine researchers reveal that negative perceptions are being created by some groups regarding productivity supplements is harming farmers and confusing consumers. The researchers add that it “is unfortunate and the marketing of "pure Maine milk" or of "milk without artificial hormones" further supports this ignorance. Some processors will pay a premium to producers who pledge not to use bST, but these incentives are only one half to one fifth of the benefit that producers could obtain by using bST...."
 
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Re: rBST claims in labeling and advertising. Òhank you for taking time to talk to me February 10. I looked at the issue you raised and discussed it with program. They are taking stops to tighten up their enforcement procedures. I will share these steps with you as they become a. little more developed.
 
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This acknowledges receipt of your June 25, 2002 and September 6, 2002 letters regarding the labeling and advertising of milk and other dairy products claiming to be free of hormones, antibiotics or pesticides. "We appreciate the documents and comments provided in your letter. Such information is often helpful in our enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic.
 
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Claims that advertise "hormone free"dairy products could be banned if the Food and Drug Administration gets serious about enforcing long-standing laws and regulations that prohibit false or misleading label and marketing claims.
 
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Re: Marketing Practices Allow me to introduce myself. I am Bill Bordessa, and I recently was pointed as the Department's Chief of the Milk and Dairy Roods Control Branch (MDFC). In this capacity, your letter date October 16, 2002, addressed to the Division of Marketing Services was forwarded to me for review. Your letter describes dairy marketing issues occurring in California that, after reviewing California law and U.S. Rood and Drug Administration guidelines, present a situation that may be characterized as problematic.
 
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To: Washington State Department of Agriculture From: The American Council on Science and Health, Citizens for the Integrity of Science, National Center for Public Policy Research, Consumer Alert, Center for Global Food Issues and the Competitive Enterprise Institute We write in regard to Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture Commissioner Douglas Gillespie’s letter dated November 25, 2002 and to express our concerns regarding the growing use of misleading labeling and marketing practices by certain dairy processors operating in Massachusetts.
 
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Through conversations with supermarket executives in Massachusetts we have heard that one of your dairy processing plants located in New England may be planning an imminent change in current production method requirements of supplying dairies. We wanted to alert you to our efforts on behalf of consumers and farmers regarding truth in labeling and non-misleading marketing, particularly in the dairy industry and other information which may be useful and instructive to your decision making in this regard.
 
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We write in regard to Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture Commissioner Douglas Gillespie's letter dated November 25, 2002 and to express our concerns regarding the growing use of misleading labeling and marketing practices by certain dairy processors operating in Massachusetts. These practices violate federal and state law, U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines and Massachusetts State regulations regarding the labeling, advertising and marketing of foods.
 
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I am writing with regard to our telephone conversation on November 26, 2002.I enjoyed our conversation and admire your frankness and candor. However, I regret to say that we are disappointed with your response to our concerns about false and misleading marketing practices in the dairy industry and troubled by your stated intention to begin to label your store-brand milk with production-related claims.
 
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Re: Request for Public Records dated October 17, 2002. This is in response to your request for public records originally received by the Department via fax on October 31 , 2002, and subsequently again via US mail
 
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Re: Information and records request under the Open Public Records Act. I am writing as a co-signer to a letter dated January 11, 2002 (attached) and subsequent correspondence sent to your agency requesting an investigation and appropriate action to ensure compliance with both federal and state laws and regulations regarding evidence provided of false and misleading dairy labeling and marketing practices in New Jersey.
 
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Re: Request for review of reply and information and records request under the New York Freedom of Information Law, Article 6 of the Public Officers Law. I am writing as a co-signer to a letter dated January 11, 2002 (attached) and subsequent correspondence sent to your agency requesting an investigation and appropriate action to ensure compliance with both federal and state laws and regulations regarding evidence provided of false and misleading dairy labeling and marketing practices in New York.
 
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Re: Information and records request under the Public Records Act (Chapter 42.17 RCW). I am writing as a co-signer to a letter dated May 16, 2002 (attached) sent to your agency requesting an investigation and appropriate action to ensure compliance with both federal and state laws and regulations regarding evidence provided of false and misleading dairy labeling and marketing practices in Washington State.
 
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RE: California Public Records Act request regarding investigation and enforcement materials associated with false and misleading marketing practices in the California dairy industry detailed in numerous complaint letters.
 
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Since the time of my last letter, the problem of false and misleading labeling, marketing and advertising of dairy products has continued to grow and worsen. New findings reveal this problem to extend beyond labels, advertisements and web sites to include claims promoted on in-store displays and even cash register receipts for dairy products which include language determined by the FDA to be false and misleading.
 
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The Animal Health Institute (AHI) is the national trade association representing manufacturers of animal health products — the pharmaceuticals, vaccines and feed additiv&!used in modern food production, and the medicines that keep livestock and pets healthy. Our member companies produce the vast majority of all such products sold in the United States, as well as serving a significant segment of the world market.
 
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Ben & Jerry’s misleads customers by falsely claiming that some of its ice cream and frozen yogurt products are “All Natural,” when they contain artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils, or other factory-made substances, according to a complaint filed today by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
 
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The American Council on Science and Health, Citizens for the Integrity of Science, Consumer Alert, National Center for Public Policy Research, Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Hudson Institute have collected research and presented related concerns to numerous state authorities regarding false and misleading labeling and marketing practices in the dairy industry.
 
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To: Washington State Federal Trade Commission From: Citizens for the Integrity of Science As president of Citizens for the Integrity of Science, I wanted to bring to your attention the growing use of misleading labeling and marketing practices by certain dairy processors operating in Washington State.
 
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American Council on Science and Health, et al, coalition letter to William Brookreson, Washington Stated Department of Agriculture, Citizens for the Integrity of Science letter to Charles Harwood, Northwest Region Federal Trade Commission.
 
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The Washington State Department of Agriculture's (WSDA) Food Safety Program is investigating concerns about a new dairy product label and advertising campaign being used by your company. The program has been reviewing the new label and is concerned about labeling claims, such as no antibiotics, no added hormones, free-fanned, etc., that may be misleading to the consuming public.
 
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Animal Health Institute letter to George DiFerdinando, New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services, New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services letter to Kent McClure, Animal Health Institute, American Council on Science and Health, et al, coalition letter to George DiFerdinando, New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services, New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services letter to Steven Milloy, Citizens for the Integrity of Science, et al, coalition, American Council on Science and Health, et al, coalition follow-up letter to James Blumenstock, Public Health Protection and Prevention Programs, New Jersey Department of Health and Seniors, Food and Milk Program, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services letter to Steven Milloy, Citizens for the Integrity of Science, et al, coalition.
 
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