Category Archives: Sectors – Food

September 8, 2014

Magic Green Beans for Weight Loss? Not Worth Trading a Cow For Says US FTC

In an interesting case that caught my eye earlier today, the U.S. FTC announced a proposed settlement with Texas-based Applied Food Sciences Inc. (AFS) in relation to allegedly “baseless” green coffee extract weight loss claims. According to the FTC, AFS, which sells a green coffee … Read the rest of this entry »

June 13, 2014

When Can True Claims Be Misleading?: Comment on Fruit Drink Tussles & Some Tips

For the past little while I’ve been seeing more cases and articles related to advertising challenges based on misleading (or allegedly misleading) first impressions – that is competitor or consumer challenges based on what looks like the real deal, but may be a bit of … Read the rest of this entry »

April 29, 2014

Big Brewery Settles Allegations Was Marketing Beer As Small (Micro Brewery) – Impressions and Images Matter

A small but interesting advertising law development caught my eye earlier today – the Australian ACCC (Australia’s competition and consumer protection agency) took enforcement steps against a large Australian beer manufacturer (Carlton & United Breweries) for allegedly suggesting that it was small (a micro brewer). … Read the rest of this entry »

July 1, 2013

Australian Supermarket Pays $61,000 Fine for Allegedly Misleading Country of Origin Claims – A Few Thoughts and Some Canadian Comparisons

In a recent case announced by the Australian ACCC, Australia’s antitrust agency said that supermarket chain Coles has paid six infringement notices totaling $61,200 for allegedly misleading country of origin claims contrary to the Australian Competition and Consumer Act (see: Coles pays infringement notices for … Read the rest of this entry »

February 22, 2013

Fraudulent Fish Probe Highlights Key Aspects of Canadian Misleading Advertising Law and My Own Fish Fraud Tale

It’s Friday, pouring rain where I am (the normally picturesque, if perennially wet, Vancouver) so something a bit lighter for the blogs today.  Over the past few days, I’ve been seeing reports of a fraudulent fish probe in the U.S. with some rather startling, if … Read the rest of this entry »

September 24, 2012

Competition Bureau Posts New Acting Commissioner of Competition: John Pecman

The Competition Bureau has updated its organizational chart with John Pecman (formerly head of the Criminal Matters Branch) as Acting Commissioner of Competition.  From the Bureau: “John Pecman is Acting Commissioner of Competition. The Commissioner is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Competition … Read the rest of this entry »

September 22, 2012

Protecting the Minds of Youth: Advertising Standards Compliance Report on Canadian Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative

Last week the Advertising Standards Canada released its fourth annual Compliance Report on the Canadian Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (see: Advertising Standards Canada releases 2011 Compliance Report on Canadian Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative). The Initiative was launched by members of Canada’s … Read the rest of this entry »

September 12, 2012

Advertising Law Events: ASC The ABC’s of Food Advertising Regulations

Advertising Standards Canada will be holding two upcoming workshops on the basics of Canadian food related advertising regulations in Montreal (September 19th) and Toronto (September 25th). These two hour workshops will address common questions relating to Canadian food advertising related regulations, including how to compare … Read the rest of this entry »