May 2025

Dear Christina,

Welcome to May's Label Alert! In this month's headlines, FDA plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes, FDA to shift food inspection responsibility to the states, jury orders Bigelow teas to pay millions for its misleading "Manufactured in the USA" label claim, and more.

Register for the Food Label Conference in June to explore FDA's, USDA's and the States' latest actions and impacts... Now, get caught up on the latest industry news from Label Alert.

Breaking News: U.S. Food and Drug Administration to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Food Dyes

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the FDA announced a major initiative to phase out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes as part of the Make America Healthy Again campaign. This issue will be discussed at Prime Label's 2025 Food Label Conference in June. 

Read on...

FDA News Release...

FDA Budget Cut Proposal Puts States in Charge of Routine Food Inspections

A draft budget document outlining cuts to the Health and Human Services Department includes language eliminating FDA’s “direct role” in routine assessments of farms and food facilities. FDA would move the responsibility of routine food inspections to states. 

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Jury Awards $2.36 Million for Bigelow's "Manufactured in the USA" Label

A California jury recently found that R.C. Bigelow, Inc., the well-known manufacturer of Bigelow teas, intentionally or recklessly misled consumers by claiming some of its teabags were “Manufactured in the USA.” The company paid a steep price for this mislabeling, with the jury awarding the class action plaintiffs $2.36 million.

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Oklahoma Nears Stricter Food Labeling Laws, House Bill 1126 Awaits Governor's Signature

Oklahoma might soon see stricter food labeling practices, as a bill zoomed through the state's legislature and is now waiting for the governor's signature, aimed at ensuring food products are accurately described when they arrive on store shelves.

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USDA Withdraws Plan to Limit Salmonella in Raw Poultry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is withdrawing a Biden-era rule aimed at reducing salmonella contamination in raw chicken and turkey products in response to concerns from chicken and turkey producers that it would be too costly to implement.

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Clean Label Claims in the Crosshairs: Rising Litigation Trends Zero in on Claims about ‘Real Fruit,’ Natural Flavors, Heavy Metals, PFAs and More

Class action lawsuits filed against food and beverage companies surged last year – reversing a multi-year downward trend but still falling significantly short of the 10-plus year high in 2021, according to analysis by the law firm Perkins Coie presented at an event hosted by Prime Label Consultants.

Read on...