A class action lawsuit has been filed by two pension funds against the Pepsi Bottling Group alleging breaches of duty arising out of their attempt to sell Pepsi Bottling Group to PepsiCo. The surprise offer by PepsiCo for their two primary US bottlers – Pepsi Bottling and PepsiAmerica – was announced last week in an attempt to gain greater control over distribution. The move comes a decade after PepsiCo sought to separate itself from its bottlers, believing it would help the company focus... ...Read more »

PepsiCo has filed a lawsuit against major competitor The Coca-Cola Company, alleging false advertising that unfairly tarnishes their Gatorade brand. The owners of the world’s largest selling sports drink have taking umbrage with a campaign in the US, which implies that Coca Cola’s Powerade ION4 is the more “complete” sports beverage because it has magnesium and calcium. The campaign has showcased photos of Gatorade bottles cut in half beneath slogans such as “Don’t... ...Read more »

A lawsuit regarding Procter & Gamble patents for packaging of their Folgers Coffee brand has been settled amicably with Kraft. P&G filed a lawsuit against Kraft for alleged infringement of packaging patents by Kraft’s Maxwell House. P&G suggest that the packaging of Folgers gives a competitive advantage and claimed the innovation of their containers had helped grow the Folgers brand. “We are delighted by the terms of this settlement and will not hesitate to do what... ...Read more »

The Coca-Cola Company has been served notice of a class action lawsuit from an American consumer group and a San Fransisco customer amid accusations of “deceptive and unsubstantiated claims” on its glaceau vitaminwater line of beverages. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) argues that The Coca-Cola Company “makes a wide range of dramatic claims, including that its drinks variously reduce the risk of chronic disease, reduce the risk of eye disease, promote healthy... ...Read more »

Wal-Mart Stores, the world’s largest retailer, has announced the settlement of 63 wage and hour class action lawsuits that have been pending against the company for several years.Each of the settlements is subject to approval by the trial court, and the total amount to be paid will depend on the amount of claims that are submitted by class members. Under the agreements, the total will be at least $352 million, but no more than $640 million. Also, as part of the settlements, Wal-Mart has agreed... ...Read more »

The Procter & Gamble Company has filed a patent lawsuit against Kraft Foods Inc., manufacturer of the Maxwell House Coffee brand. The lawsuit, filed in the United States Federal District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in Cincinnati, alleges that the new four-pound plastic container for Maxwell House coffee, now being introduced in America, infringes key Procter & Gamble patents on Folgers Coffee. In 2003, P&G introduced Folgers Coffee in a “consumer-preferred plastic container”.... ...Read more »

The nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest has filed suit against MillerCoors Brewing Company, formerly Miller, over its alcoholic energy drink, Sparks. The CSPI has been concerned with the contents of the drink, which reportedly has more alcohol than regular beer and contains “unapproved additives”, including the stimulants caffeine and guarana. The lawsuit is asking the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to stop MillerCoors from selling the controversial drink,... ...Read more »