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news August 22, 2023

Matthew Orr Quoted in “Walmart’s Motion to Dismiss Denied: Fish Oil Suit Remains on the Docket”

Matthew Orr spoke with NutraIngredients-USA about the status of a class action lawsuit in which plaintiff alleges that a Walmart fish oil supplement is mischaracterized as fish oil and instead made from fish waste.

In its motion to dismiss, Walmart countered that the complaint was preempted by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, should not be debated in court, and should be determined by the FDA. But the Southern District of California denied Walmart’s motion. Matt explained that given the stage of the proceedings and the inferences the court is required to make in favor of the plaintiff, its ruling on express preemption is not surprising. He also stated that the court may reach a different conclusion on preemption once the defendant is able to present additional facts and evidence it is able to develop in discovery.

Read the full story here.