Blog Archives

Michigan Appeals Court Rules Against Coverage for Uncontaminated but Seized Cheese

A Michigan appellate court recently ruled that a commercial property insurer properly denied coverage for the cost of cheese seized by the government that could not be returned to market.  In this unpublished opinion, the three-judge panel upheld the trial

Posted in Acts or Decisions Exclusion, Commercial Property Insurance, Contamination, Food Manufacturer, Food Recall, Food Safety, Governmental Action Exclusion, Insurance Coverage, Listeria, Loss of Market Exclusion

Seeking Contribution for Coverage Costs Associated with Historic 2011 Listeria Outbreak

Continental Western Insurance Company (“CWIC”) recently filed suit against Colony Insurance Company in Colorado federal court seeking declaratory relief and contribution for Colony’s alleged failure to share in defense and indemnity costs in connection with the deadly 2011 listeria outbreak. 

Posted in Contamination, Contribution, Duty to Defend, Duty to Idemnify, Food Recall, Food Safety, Insurance Coverage, Liability Policy, Listeria, Occurrence, Trigger of Coverage

The Horses Are Off (the Shelves)! Odds Are that the Ensuing Litigation Will Be An Endurance Race

Regulators, food distributors, and, of course, lawyers are scrambling to determine the legal and reputational consequences of the still-growing horse meat scandal that recently hit Europe.  Amid the recalls, finger-pointing, and consumer outrage at the thought of eating horse meatballs

Posted in Crisis Management, E. Coli, False Advertising, Food Manufacturer, Food Recall, Fraud, Horse Meat, Insurance Coverage, Uncategorized

The Not So Surprising PCA Indictment

Federal authorities have brought felony charges against former Peanut Corporation of America officials for their role with the fatal 2009 Salmonella outbreak that sickened over 700 and killed 9.  Although this prosecution may be the most significant of its kind

Posted in Contamination, Drug and Cosmetic Act, Food, Food and Drug Administration, Food Manufacturer, Food Recall, Food Safety, Fraud, Salmonella

Minnesota’s “Impairment of Function and Value” Test Determines Whether Recalled Food Constitutes Property Damage

We often associate food recalls with harmful and contaminated products but manufacturers actually issue recalls for a variety of reasons.  Companies sometimes issue recalls because of suspected, but not confirmed, contamination or other quality control issues.  Other times, they issue

Posted in "Impaired Property" Exclusion, "Product Recall" Exclusion, "Your Product" Exclusion, Food and Drug Administration, Food Manufacturer, Food Recall, Food Safety, Insurance Coverage, Liability Policy, Policy Exclusions, Property Damage
About
Cozen O’Connor has a national team of attorneys experienced in handling food contamination and product recall coverage matters related to first-party, third-party and specialty policies. The firm also developed a Food, Beverage & Nutritional Products Industry Team to provide advice and counsel to a wide range of companies connected directly and indirectly to the food and beverage industry.
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