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In the News: Yogurt Woes, More Tuna Talk, Haggis Smuggling

Posted by Emily Koh, January 25, 2008 at 6:30 PM

• Dannon sued over exaggerating yogurt health claims: Dannon has been slapped with a class-action lawsuit, saying that the company falsely promotes the benefits of probiotics (the "good bacteria") in its yogurt products and tricks customers into paying more. (In related news, other food makers are jumping on the bandwagon to promote their probiotic-packed products—and not just yogurt.) [Reuters]
• Active bacteria in yogurt tied to 24 deaths: New research reveals that 24 people died between 2004 and 2007 while consuming yogurt health drinks by companies like Yakult, and researchers have tied it to the probiotics (the "good bacteria") in yogurt as the likely culprit—the very thing that gives yogurt its good reputation. The Dutch Patient and Consumer Federation have already demanded an investigation into dairy products containing live cultures. [Telegraph]

• Japan unaffected by tuna scare: Despite reports that there were high levels of mercury found in tuna, Japan, which eats 25 percent of the world's tuna, says that they have no intent to change the safety standards for tuna consumption. [Yahoo/AFP]
• FDA to assign inspectors overseas: The FDA will tighten its presence overseas by placing inspectors at various embassies and consulates to ensure quality of food and medicines headed toward the U.S. [NY Times]
• Haggis smugglers unite for Burns Night: Fans of Scotland's infamous offal product are working to smuggle it into the U.S. for Burns Night, even if it means facing a fine of $1,000 if caught. [Times Online, via Coldmud]

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