Case Law Index National Organic Program
January 1, 2000 – September 23, 2024
This index provides a comprehensive, though not exhaustive, compilation of reported and unreported federal and state court decisions involving the National Organic Program that were decided between the dates listed above. The cases are listed in reverse chronological order. The “Text” link goes to the freely available Google Scholar text of the opinion. These listings are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for legal counsel.
SUPREME COURT
Monsanto Co. v. Geertson Seed Farms, 561 U.S. 139, 130 S. Ct. 2743, 177 L. Ed. 2d 461 (2010) (enjoining partial deregulation was an abuse of discretion) Text
FIRST CIRCUIT
Harvey v. Johanns, 494 F.3d 237 (1st Cir. 2007) (use of synthetic ingredients in processing organic foods) Text
Mass. Indep. Certification, Inc. v. Johanns, 486 F.Supp. 2d 105 (D. Mass. 2007) (challenge to NOP certification requirements) Text
Harvey v. Johanns, 462 F.Supp. 2d 69 (D. Me. 2006) (post-amendment utility of consent decree) Text
Harvey v. Veneman, 396 F.3d 28 (1st Cir. 2005) (consistency of Act and final rule) Text
Harvey v. Veneman, 222 F.R.D. 213 (D. Me. 2004) (parties’ proposed intervention in challenge to NOP) Text
Harvey v. Veneman, 297 F.Supp. 2d 334 (D. Me. 2004) (consistency of Act and final rule) Text
Harvey v. Veneman, No. Civ. 02-216-P-H, 2003 WL 22327171 (D. Me. Oct. 10, 2003) (Magistrate’s Decision – consistency of Act and final rule)
SECOND CIRCUIT
Collishaw v. Cooperative Regions of Organic Producer Pools, Nos. 20-CV-09009 (PMH, 21-CV-01548 (PMH), 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 143898 (S.D.N.Y Aug. 11, 2022) (misrepresentation of labeling) Text
Mason v. Reed’s Inc., 515 F. Supp. 3d 135, 139 (Plaintiff sued the defendant for improper labeling of the product). Text
Patane v. Nestle Waters N. Am., Inc., 369 F. Supp. 3d 382 (D. Conn. 2019) (misrepresentation and failure to meet standard of law) Text
Guoliang Ma v. Harmless Harvest, Inc., No. 16-CV-07102 (JMA) (SIL), 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 123322 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2018) (motion to approve class action settlement related to the sale of products falsely labeled “organic”)
In re Kind LLC “Healthy & All Natural” Litig., 287 F. Supp. 3d 457, 465 (S.D.N.Y. 2018) (interpreting 7 U.S.C. § 6524 in finding that genetically engineered foods may be labeled as “non-GMO” within USDA’s discretion) Text
Marentette v. Abbott Labs., Inc., 886 F.3d 112 (2d Cir. 2018) (misrepresentation of labeling) Text
Singleton v. Fifth Generation, Inc., No. 515CV474BKSTWD, 2017 WL 5001444 (N.D.N.Y. Sept. 27, 2017) (misleading advertising of “handmade” vodka)
Birdsong v. Nurture, Inc., 275 F. Supp. 3d 384 (E.D.N.Y. 2017) (misrepresentation of labeling) Text
Marentette v. Abbott Labs., Inc., 201 F. Supp. 3d 374 (E.D.N.Y. 2016), aff’d, 886 F.3d 112 (2d Cir. 2018) (misrepresentation of labeling) Text
Singleton v. Fifth Generation, Inc., No. 515CV474BKSTWD, 2016 WL 406295, at *1 (N.D.N.Y. Jan. 12, 2016) (misleading advertising)
Segedie v. The Hain Celestial Grp., Inc., No. L 4-CV-5029 NSR, 2015 WL 5916002, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 7, 2015) (breach of implied warranty and misrepresentation) Text
In re Frito-Lay N. Am., Inc. All Nat. Litig., No. 12-MD-2413 RRM RLM, 2013 WL 4647512 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 29, 2013) (mislabeling and suing under state law) Text
Silber v. Barbara’s Bakery, Inc., 950 F. Supp. 2d 432, 437 (E.D.N.Y. 2013) (interpreting 7 C.F.R. § 205.2 to define the outer boundaries of “natural”) Text
Organic Seed Growers & Trade Ass’n v. Monsanto Co., 851 F. Supp. 2d 544 (S.D.N.Y. 2012), aff’d, 718 F.3d 1350 (Fed. Cir. 2013) (patent infringement) Text
THIRD CIRCUIT
Hickerson v. New Jersey, No. CIV. 08-1033 (AET), 2009 WL 5218065 (D. N.J. Dec. 31, 2009) (deprivation of property rights; lead shot interferes with right to be an organic farmer) Text
Hickerson v. State (N.J.), No. 08-1033 (AET), 2009 WL 3296529 (D. N.J. Oct. 13, 2009) (deprivation of property rights) Text
FOURTH CIRCUIT
Handsome Brook Farm, LLC v. Humane Farm Animal Care, Inc., 193 F. Supp. 3d 556 (E.D. Va. 2016), aff’d, 700 F. App’x 251 (4th Cir. 2017) (action for mislabeling of eggs) Text
FIFTH CIRCUIT
Owen v. Fed. Crop Ins. Corp., No. 3:19-CV-00161, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 185883 (S.D. Tex. Oct. 6, 2020) (good farming practices analysis re organic crop and USDA Risk Management Agency decision) Text
Gedalia v. Whole Foods Mkt. Servs., Inc., 53 F. Supp. 3d 943 (S.D. Tex. 2014) (false advertising and in violation of act) Text
SIXTH CIRCUIT
Konos, Inc. v. Cal. Farms, LLC, No. 1:16-CV-624, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 185739 (W.D. Mich. Apr. 27, 2018) (breach of contract related to delivery of organic eggs)
Int’l Dairy Foods Ass’n v. Boggs, No. 2:08-CV-628, 2009 WL 937045 (S.D. Ohio Apr. 2, 2009) (preemption; state labeling laws regarding use of rbST) Text
Int’l Dairy Foods Ass’n v. Boggs, 622 F.3d 628 (6th Cir. 2010), aff’g in part and rev’g in part, Nos. 2:08-CV-628, 2:08-CV-629, 2009 WL 937045 (S.D. Ohio Apr. 2, 2009) (preemption; state labeling laws regarding use of rbST) Text
SEVENTH CIRCUIT
Wertymer v. Walmart, Inc., No. 23 CV 14700, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84660 (N.D. Ill. Feb. 22, 2024) (claims of misrepresentation in labeling of “raw organic honey”) Text
Gouwens v. Target Corp., No. 3:22-cv-50016 (N.D. Ill. Dec. 30, 2022) (label misrepresentation) Text
Lenora Rice v. National Beverage Corp., No. 18 CV 7151, 2019 WL 3037094 (N.D. Ill. 2019) (Plaintiff cites 7 C.F.R. § 205.2 in arguing difference between “natural” and “synthetic” substances) Text
Cornucopia Inst. v. United States Dep’t of Agric., 884 F.3d 795 (7th Cir. 2018) (challenging of appointment of candidate) Text
Cornucopia Inst. v. United States Dep’t of Agric., 260 F. Supp. 3d 1061 (W.D. Wis. 2017), aff’d, 884 F.3d 795 (7th Cir. 2018) (challenging of appointment of candidate)Text
Turek v. Gen. Mills, Inc., 662 F.3d 423 (7th Cir. 2011) (action alleging violation of state law, mislabeling)Text
Turek v. Gen. Mills, Inc., 754 F. Supp. 2d 956 (N.D. Ill. 2010), aff’d as modified, 662 F.3d 423 (7th Cir. 2011) (action alleging violation of state law, mislabeling) Text
Cornucopia Inst. v. U.S. Dep’t of Agric., 560 F.3d 673 (7th Cir. 2009) (production of documents, attorney’s fees under the Freedom of Information Act) Text
Cornucopia Inst. v. U.S. Dep’t of Agric., No. 06-C-0182-C, 2007 WL 5414894 (W.D. Wis. Feb. 21, 2007) (production of documents, attorney’s fees under the Freedom of Information Act) Text
EIGHTH CIRCUIT
Ctr. v. Conagra Foods, Inc., No. 5:14-CV-05248, 2015 WL 4106473, (W.D. Ark. July 6, 2015) (deceptive and misleading labels) Text
Gabriele v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., No. 5:14-CV-05183, 2015 WL 3904386 (W.D. Ark. June 25, 2015) (deceptive and misleading labels) Text
Kelly v. Cape Cod Potato Chip Co., 81 F. Supp. 3d 754 (W.D. Mo. 2015) (action for false labeling) Text
Rosberg v. United States, No. 4:15-CV-04078-LLP, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 137116 (D. S.D. Oct. 5, 2015) (alleging illegal revocation of organic certification) Text
In re Aurora Dairy Corp. Organic Milk Mktg. and Sales Practice Litig., 621 F.3d 781 (8th Cir. Sept. 2010), aff’g in part and rev’g in part, 2009 WL 1576928 (E.D. Mo. June 3, 2009) (preemption provision in Organic Foods Production Act) Text
NINTH CIRCUIT
Ctr. for Food Safety v. Vilsack, No. 21-15883, 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 26533 (9th Cir. Sept. 22, 2022) (hydroponically grown crops meet the requirements of the OFPA for certification) Text
Miranda Dairy v. Harry Shelton Livestock, LLC, No. 18-CV-06357-RMI, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 100612, (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2022) (ruling on cross-motions for summary judgment regarding alleged fraudulent claims that livestock was “organic”) Text
Center for Environmental Health v. Vilsack, No. 18-cv-01763-RS, 2022 WL 658965 (N.D. Cal. 2022) (remanding case involving USDA’s withdrawal of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule) Text
S. Agric. Insecticides, Inc. v. Taylor, No. 6:20-cv-00922-AA, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 183294 (D. Or. 2021 Sept. 24, 2021) (alleged misbranding of product as organic despite containing substances prohibited in organic production) Text
Ctr. for Food Safety v. Perdue, 527 F.Supp. 3d 1130 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 18, 2021) (certification of hydroponics as organic) Text
Suzie’s Brewery Co. v. Anheuser-Busch Cos., 519 F. Supp. 3d 839 (D. Or. 2021) (TRO granted re false advertising of hard seltzer as the “first” or “only” certified organic hard seltzer) Text
Hawyuan Yu v. Dr Pepper Snapple Grp., Inc., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 185322, *25 (finding it “exceedingly unlikely that the word “natural” will be defined more stringently than ‘organic’ when it comes to tolerance levels for pesticides”). Text.
Am. River AG. Inc. v. Global Natural, LLC, No. 2:18-cv-00377-TLN-CKD, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 102644 (E.D. Cal. June 10, 2020) (breach of contract suit for allegedly providing non-organic soybeans instead of organic) Text
Ctr. for Envtl. Health v. Perdue, No. 18-CV-01763-RS (TSH), 2019 WL 6114513 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 18, 2019) (discovery order in re withdrawal of Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) Rule) Text
Clark v. Hershey Co., No. 18-CV-06113 WHA, 2019 WL 6050763, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 15, 2019) (interpreting 7 C.F.R. § 205.2 to define “artificial ingredients”) Text
California Organic Fertilizers, Inc. v. True Organic Prod., Inc., No. 1:19-CV-0296 AWI EG, 2019 WL 5422919, (E.D. Cal. Oct. 23, 2019) (labeling of un-composted chicken manure and interpretation of 7 C.F.C. §205.203(c)(1)) Text
Miranda Dairy v. Harry Shelton Livestock, LLC, No. 18-CV-06357-RMI, 2019 WL 631493, (N.D. Cal. Feb. 14, 2019) (order in re motion to dismiss, alleged fraud, C.F.R. § 205) Text
Gasser v. Kiss My Face, LLC, No. 17-CV-01675-JSC, 2018 WL 4538729, (N.D. Cal. Sept. 21, 2018) (interpreting 7 C.F.R. § 205.2 to determine whether caprylic/capric triglyceride is synthetic) Text
Ctr. for Food Safety v. Perdue, 320 F. Supp. 3d 1101 (N.D. Cal. 2018), appeal dismissed, No. 18-16378, 2018 WL 5304837 (9th Cir. Aug. 16, 2018) (challenging the process for certifying foods as “organic”) Text
Ctr. for Food Safety v. Vilsack, No. 15CV01590HSGKAW, 2017 WL 1709318, at *1 (N.D. Cal. May 3, 2017) (ruling on motion to complete administrative record) Text
Brown v. Danone N. Am., LLC, No. 17-CV-07325-JST, 2018 WL 2021340 (N.D. Cal. May 1, 2018) (alleging false advertising) Text
Pac. Botanicals, LLC v. Sego’s Herb Farm, LLC, No. 1:15-CV-00407-CL, 2017 WL 1536432, at *2 (D. Or. Apr. 26, 2017) (alleging preemption by the FDCA) Text
Ctr. for Food Safety v. Vilsack, No. 15-CV-01590-HSG, 2016 WL 4698901 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 8, 2016) (challenging order by the Secretary) Text
Ctr. for Envtl. Health v. Vilsack, No. 15-CV-01690-JSC, 2016 WL 3383954 (N.D. Cal. June 20, 2016) (violation of APA) Text
Ctr. for Food Safety v. Vilsack, No. 15-CV-01590-HSG, 2015 WL 5915409 (N.D. Cal. Oct. 9, 2015) (determining which substances may be used in food certified as “organic”) Text
Ctr. for Envtl. Health v. Vilsack, No. 15-CV-01690-JSC, 2015 WL 5698757 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 29, 2015) (violation of OFPA) Text
Compassion Over Killing v. Food & Drug Admin., No. 13-CV-01385-VC, 2014 WL 7336231, at *1 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 23, 2014), aff’d sub nom. Compassion Over Killing v. U.S. Food & Drug Admin., 849 F.3d 849 (9th Cir. 2017) (action for regulations on egg productions) Text
Capsugel Belg. NV v. Bright Pharma Caps, Inc., No. 3:15-cv-321-PK, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 154123 (D. Or. Nov. 13, 2015) (motion to dismiss denied in suit alleging mislabeling of “organic” products) Text
Brown v. Hain Celestial Grp., Inc., No. C 11-03082 LB, (N.D. Cal. May 30, 2015) (deceptive labeling)
Ham v. Hain Celestial Grp., Inc., 70 F. Supp. 3d 1188, 1191 (N.D. Cal. 2014) (citing National Organic Program in reference to definition of “All Natural”) Text
Garrison v. Whole Foods Mkt. Grp., Inc., No. 13-CV-05222-VC, 2014 WL 2451290 (N.D. Cal. June 2, 2014) (deceptive labeling) Text
Bohac v. Gen. Mills, Inc., No. 12-CV-05280-WHO, 2014 WL 1266848, at *1 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 26, 2014) (deceptive labeling) Text
Janney v. Mills, No. 12-CV-03919-WHO, 2014 WL 1266299, (N.D. Cal. Mar. 26, 2014) (deceptive labeling) Text
Rojas v. Gen. Mills, Inc., No. 12-CV-05099-WHO, 2014 WL 1248017, (N.D. Cal. Mar. 26, 2014) (deceptive labeling) Text
Stafford v. Whole Foods Mkt. Cal., Inc., No. 4:14CV00420 JLH, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 134539 (E.D. Ark. Sept. 24, 2014) (motion to remand denied in suit alleging falsely labeling non-organic Whole Foods products as organic) Text
Hokto Kinoko Co. v. Concord Farms, Inc., 738 F.3d 1085 (9th Cir. 2013) (alleged trademark infringement involving marks for certified organic mushrooms) Text
Pelayo v. Nestle USA, Inc., 989 F. Supp. 2d 973, 975 (C.D. Cal. 2013) (citing National Organic Program in reference to definition of “All Natural”) Text
Dronkers v. Kiss My Face, LLC, No. 12CV1151 JAH (WMC), 2013 WL 12108663, at *1 (S.D. Cal. Sept. 26, 2013) (alleging false advertising)
Astiana v. Kashi Co., 291 F.R.D. 493, 499 (S.D. Cal. 2013) (referencing 7 C.F.R. § 205.601in determining that calcium pantothenate and pyridoxine hydrochloride are not permitted in certified “organic” foods) Text
Astiana v. Kashi Co., 295 F.R.D. 490 (S.D. Cal. 2013) (class action certification for the inclusion of ingredients in products labeled “all natural”) Text
Thurston v. Bear Naked, Inc., No. 11-CV-2985-H BGS, 2013 WL 5664985, at *1 (S.D. Cal. July 30, 2013) (interpreting 7 C.F.R. § 205.605 to determine whether ingredients were allowed in certified “organic” goods) Text
Rocky Mountain Farmers Union v. Corey, 730 F.3d 1070 (9th Cir. 2013) (challenging corn ethanol regulation) Text
Brown v. Hain Celestial Grp., Inc., No. C 11-03082 LB, 2012 WL 4364588 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 24, 2012) (violation of OFPA) Text
Jones v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., 912 F. Supp. 2d 889 (N.D. Cal. 2012) (alleging misleading and deceptive labeling) Text
All One God Faith, Inc. v. Hain Celestial Grp., Inc., No. C 09-3517 SI, 2012 WL 3257660 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 8, 2012) (amend complaint, products do not meet NOP standard) Text
Brown v. Hain Celestial Grp., Inc., No. C 11-03082 LB, 2012 WL 3138013 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 1, 2012) (violation of OFPA, subject matter jurisdiction) Text
United States v. Townsley, No. C 10-00428 CRB, 2012 WL 3137989 N.D. Cal. Aug. 1, 2012) (fraudulently representing organic farming operation) Text
All One God Faith, Inc. v. Hain Celestial Grp., Inc., No. C 09-03517 JF HRL, 2011 WL 4433817 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 22, 2011) (claim that products do not meet the NOP standards)
Giovanni Cosmetics, Inc. v. Arch Ins. Co., No. CV 09-5548 GAF (RZX), 2010 WL 11506876, (C.D. Cal. Feb. 5, 2010) (alleged false and misleading statements in violation of National Organic Program)
All One God Faith, Inc. v. Hain Celestial Group, Inc., No. C09-03517 JF (HRL), 2010 WL 2133209 (N.D. Cal. May 24, 2010) (jurisdiction) Text
All One God Faith, Inc. v. Hain Celestial Group, Inc., No. C 09-03517 JF (HRL), 2009 WL 4907433 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 14, 2009) (claim that products do not meet the NOP standards) Text
Moroccanoil, Inc. v. Dermorganic Labs., Inc., No. CV 09-4257 CBM (PAX), 2009 WL 10675634 (C.D. Cal. Nov. 9, 2009) (injunctive relief and request for judicial notice)
Geertson Seed Farms v. Johanns, 570 F.3d 1130 (9th Cir. 2009) (upholding injunction for not complying with NEPA) Text
Geertson Farms Inc. v. Johanns, No. C-06-01075 CRB, 2007 WL 1839894 (N.D. Cal. June 26, 2007) (storage, cleaning, and public disclosure of fields of Roundup Ready alfalfa)
Geertson Farms Inc. v. Johanns, No. C-06-01075 CRB, 2007 WL 1302981 (N.D. Cal. May 3, 2007) (denying reconsideration ordering enjoining APHIS from deregulating Roundup Ready alfalfa)
Geertson Farms Inc. v. Johanns, No C-06-01075 CRB, 2007 WL 776146 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 12, 2007) (granting preliminary injunction to prevent planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa)
Geertson Farms Inc. v. Johanns, No C-06-01075 CRB, 2007 WL 518624 (N.D. Cal. Feb. 13, 2007) (APHIS violated NEPA when deregulating Roundup Ready alfalfa) Text
Geertson Farms Inc. v. Johanns, 439 F. Supp. 2d 1012 (N.D. Cal. 2006) (dismissing the claim against EPA on tolerance levels of glyphosate for lack of subject matter jurisdiction) Text
In re Washington State Apple Advert. Comm’n, 257 F. Supp. 2d 1290 (E.D. Wash. 2003) (mandatory assessments) Text
TENTH CIRCUIT
United States v. Wall, No. CR 15-621 MV, 2017 WL 6375603 (D. N.M. Dec. 13, 2017) (false statement and violation of NOP) Text
In re Santa Fe Nat. Tobacco Co. Mktg. & Sales Practices & Prod. Liab. Litig., 288 F. Supp. 3d 1087 (D. N.M. 2017) (action for misleading label) Text
Diatect Int’l Corps. v. Organic Materials Review Inst., No. 2:05 CV 00465, 2007 WL 752165 (D. Utah Mar. 7, 2007) (failure to obtain organic certification) Text
ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
Adams v. Kraft Heinz Co., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 39287 (class action settled August 9, 2024. The plaintiff claimed labeling to be deceptive and include ingredients from the national list of allowed and prohibited substances).
Andean Life, LLC v. Barry Callebaut U.S.A. LLC, No. 20-20765-CIV-WILLIAMS/TORRES, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 261619 (S.D. Fla. Sep. 29, 2021) (breach of contract to sell organic sugar because of lack of proper licenses) Text
Reilly v. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., 711 F. App’x 525 (11th Cir. 2017) (action for false advertising, appeal from summary judgement) Text
Garcia v. Kashi Co., 43 F. Supp. 3d 1359, 1377 (S.D. Fla. 2014) (interpreting 7 C.F.R. § 205.2 to determine whether “Genetically Modified Ingredients” are “All Natural”) Text
Rigoni United States, Inc. v. Rigoni DI Asiago USA, LLC, No. 02-20070-CIV-JORDAN, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 141160 (S.D. Fla. Jan. 14, 2009) (fraudulent misrepresentation including misleading use of “organic” label)
D.C. CIRCUIT
Organic Trade Ass’n v. United States Dep’t of Agric., No. 17-cv-1875 (PLF), 2022 WL 951335 (D.D.C. 2022) (granting motion to remand the case involving the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practice Rule to the USDA) Text
Organic Trade Ass’n v. United States Dep’t of Agric., 370 F. Supp. 3d 98 (D.D.C. 2019) (challenging the withdrawal of USDA rule) Text
Cornucopia Inst. v. United States Dep’t of Agric., No. CV 16-148 (RC), 2018 WL 4637004 (D.D.C. Sept. 27, 2018) (action under the Freedom of Information Act) Text
Cornucopia Inst. v. Agric. Mktg. Serv., 312 F. Supp. 3d 85, 90 (D.D.C. 2018) (challenging agency’s response to FOIA request) Text
Organic Consumers Ass’n v. R.C. Bigelow, Inc., 314 F. Supp. 3d 344 (D.D.C. 2018) (law preempted by OFPA) Text
Organic Consumers Ass’n v. Hain Celestial Grp., Inc., 285 F. Supp. 3d 100 (D.D.C. 2018) (law preempted by OFPA) Text
Wallick v. Agric. Mktg. Serv., 281 F. Supp. 3d 56 (D.D.C. 2017) (challenging agency’s response to FOIA request) Text
Cornucopia Inst. v. United States Dep’t of Agric., 282 F. Supp. 3d 150 (D.D.C. 2017) (challenging agency’s response to FOIA request) Text
Partlo v. Johanns, No. Civ.A.04-1462 CKK, Civ.A.04-1779 CCK, 2006 WL 1663380 (D.D.C. June 11, 2006) (disaster assistance for organic crops) Text
CALIFORNIA
Ctr. for Envtl. Health v. Gooch’s Natural Food Mkts., 2019 Cal. Super. LEXIS 29761 (Dec. 3, 2019) (consent judgement to the agreement that defendant would reduce the levels of acrylamide in organic and non-organic products)
Ctr. for Envtl. Health v. Green Organic Supplements, 2018 Cal. Super. LEXIS 35924 (the consent judgement to the parties’ agreement that the defendant cannot manufacture or sell any supplement labeled as organic unless it contains at least 95% organic ingredients)
Organic Consumers Ass’n v. Honest Co., Inc., No. B280836, 2018 WL 2931978 (Cal. Ct. App. June 12, 2018) (misrepresentation of label) Text
Ctr. For Env’t Health v. Green Organic Supplements, No. RG17845112, 2017 Cal. Super. LEXIS 19300 (Cal. Super. Ct. Alameda Cty., May 19, 2017) (allegations of violations of California’s Organic Products Act)
Quesada v. Herb Thyme Farms, Inc., 62 Cal. 4th 298, 361 P.3d 868 (2015) (challenging labeled product as organic) Text
Quesada v. Herb Thyme Farms, Inc., 222 Cal. App. 4th 642, 166 Cal. Rptr. 3d 346 (2013), review granted and opinion superseded sub nom. Quesada v. Herb Thyme Farms, 323 P.3d 1 (Cal. 2014), and rev’d, 62 Cal. 4th 298, 361 P.3d 868 (2015) (challenging labeled product as organic) Text
Jacobs Farm/Del , Inc. v. W. Farm Serv., Inc., 119 Cal.Rptr.3d 529 (Cal. Ct. App. 2010) (negligence and trespass actions against pesticide applicator by organic farmer)
All One God Faith, Inc. v. Organic and Sustainable Indus. Standards, Inc., 107 Cal.Rptr.3d 861 (Cal. Ct. App. 2010) (organic certification activities as free speech in connection with a public issue)Text
Horne v. Global Organics, Ltd., No. F050698, 2007 WL 4157598 (Cal. Ct. App. Nov. 26, 2007) (contractual interpretation of “organic”) Text
Naegele v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 50 P.3d 769 (Cal. 2002) (concurring opinion referencing 7 C.F.R. § 205.605 in holding that adulteration is common practice even in common consumer products one might reasonably assume are “pure and unadulterated”) Text
DELAWARE
Firmenich Inc. v. Nat. Flavors, Inc., No. CVN19C01320MMJCCLD, 2019 WL 6522055 (Del. Super. Ct. Oct. 29, 2019) (fraud, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, non-compliance with NOP standards) Text
IOWA
Heyde v. Heyde, 997 N.W.2d 894 (Iowa Ct. App. 2023) (organic certification) Text
Thorson v. Hansen, 939 N.W.2d 655 (Iowa Ct. App. 2019) (supposedly new material evidence related to organic certification of hay could have been produced at trial and did not justify granting motion for a new trial) Text
MINNESOTA
Johnson v. Consumers Coop. Ass’n of Litchfield, No. A18-0517, 2019 WL 1233263 (Minn. Ct. App. Mar. 18, 2019), review denied (May 28, 2019) (suspension of organic certification) Text
Neumann v. Anderson, 916 N.W.2d 41 (Minn. Ct. App. 2018) (partition order erroneous due to conflict with report that equal partition would be prejudicial in part due to attainment of organic certification of dairy farm) Text
Johnson v. Paynesville Farmers Union Co-op. Oil Co., 817 N.W.2d 693 (Minn. 2012) (pesticide drift, loss of organic certification) Text
Johnson v. Paynesville Farmers Union Co-op. Oil Co., 802 N.W.2d 383 (Minn. Ct. App. 2011), aff’d in part, rev’d in part, 817 N.W.2d 693 (Minn. 2012) (pesticide drift, loss of organic certification) Text
NEBRASKA
TNT Cattle Co. v. Fife, 937 N.W.2d 811 (Neb. 2020) (agreement to produce organic alfalfa did not terminate farm lease; lower court did not have to prorate expense from time of modification to organic alfalfa) Text
TEXAS
Gedalia v. Whole Foods Mkt. Servs., Inc., 53 F. Supp. 3d 943 (S.D. Tex. 2014) (allegation of mislabeling) Text
State v. Harrell Ranch, Ltd., 268 S.W.3d 247 (Tex. App. 2008) (ranch entitled to recover lost profits caused by loss of access to ranch regardless of loss of marketability as organic cattle ranch) Text