Lawsuit pending against Dairy Industry

[OnyxCougar]

This is beyond stupid.
Source

Lawsuit Filed Against Dairy Suppliers and Retailers

OCTOBER 10, 2005 -- Ten Washington-area residents filed a class-action lawsuit against milk suppliers and retailers last Thursday in the District of Columbia's Superior Court demanding that the dairy industry place warning labels on milk cartons warning consumers of the effects of lactose intolerance.

According to a recent Progressive Grocer article, the plaintiffs, which include a seven-year-old boy and a Maryland doctor, are targeting dairy producers Horizon Organic, Dean Foods, Nestle Holdings, Farmland Dairies, Shenandoah's Pride, Stonyfield Farm, and Cloverland Farms Dairy and supermarket chains Safeway and Giant Food. The plaintiffs are represented by a lawyer with the Washington-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a public health group. The group is seeking a required label, such as: "Warning -- If you experience diarrhea or stomach cramps after consuming milk, you may be lactose intolerant. Check with your physician."

"The plaintiffs are suing on behalf of all D.C. residents," said PCRM in a statement released Thursday. "Many area residents are not aware they are lactose intolerant and unwittingly buy milk, only to suffer side effects after drinking it." They also charge the dairy industry with "deceiving the public into thinking that milk is essential."

The group claims that 75 percent of the world's population -- including 60 to 80 percent of African-Americans, 50 to 80 percent of Latinos, and at least 90 percent of Asian-Americans and Native Americans -- is lactose intolerant.

"Because of dairy's unique package of nutrients and important health benefits, the government's 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that people who are sensitive to lactose choose alternatives from within the milk group first, such as lactose-free milk, aged cheeses, or yogurt with active cultures. Research shows that most people who have difficulties digesting lactose can enjoy up to two cups of milk a day, particularly if they drink it with meals," said the International Dairy Foods Association (IFDA) in response to the lawsuit.

"Unfortunately, the legal action announced by PCRM is yet another attempt by this animal-rights group to grab headlines at the expense of sound health and nutrition information," the IFDA continued. "The bottom line is that when it comes to nutrition, people should listen to health and nutrition professionals, not an animal-rights group."

According to The Associated Press, the suit is asking for no more than $100,000 in total damages for the 10 plaintiffs. In June, the Physicians Committee filed a suit claiming the dairy industry and other food companies falsely advertised that dairy consumption helped people lose weight and it is still pending.