United States: Consumer Law

This comprehensive update covers critical developments in food safety, regulatory changes, and agricultural health issues affecting the US food and beverage industry. From FDA's release of the 2026 Food Code and ongoing ultra-processed food definition debates to emerging litigation trends around allulose sweeteners and state-level nutrition initiatives, the landscape continues to evolve rapidly.

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a new enforcement action against Greenway Auto Group, alleging the Florida dealership chain charged consumers thousands more than advertised prices through hidden fees and conditional rebates. This case demonstrates how the FTC is applying its recently released auto pricing guidance to crack down on dealerships that advertise one price but charge another at the point of sale.

Recent federal court decisions are reshaping TCPA litigation by narrowing the scope of actionable communications and consent requirements. Multiple district courts have ruled that text messages...

The Eastern District of Missouri has ruled that cellphones are not covered under the TCPA's Do Not Call provisions, marking a significant departure from the majority rule. Following Florida's recent similar decision, the court determined that Congress intentionally excluded cellphones from residential telephone subscriber protections, challenging decades of FCC interpretation in the post-Loper Bright era.

The Federal Trade Commission has secured a settlement with an auto dealership group over allegations of deceptive pricing practices, including advertising vehicles thousands of dollars below actual purchase prices and using misleading prize promotions. The proposed order would require prominent disclosure of total vehicle prices and prohibit misrepresentations concerning pricing, financing, and promotional incentives.

State attorneys general across the nation are taking decisive action on multiple fronts, from challenging federal AI oversight gaps and protecting commercial driver privacy to cracking down on deceptive marketing practices and medical debt collection violations. Major settlements address data breaches affecting millions of consumers, while new lawsuits target charitable fraud, kratom product misrepresentation, and toxic heavy metals in baby food.

State attorneys general across the nation continue to take significant enforcement actions addressing consumer protection violations, deceptive business practices, and federal regulatory overreach. Recent multistate coalitions have secured major settlements with subprime auto lenders and multi-level marketing companies while challenging federal policies that threaten state sovereignty and consumer rights.

Washington, D.C. has enacted comprehensive legislation that fundamentally changes how medical debt is handled, prohibiting healthcare providers and debt collectors from reporting medical debt to credit reporting agencies while imposing strict limitations on collection practices. The law establishes significant protections including wage garnishment restrictions, interest rate caps, and mandatory financial assistance screening, though it faces concerns about potential impacts on the healthcare system's susta

The Seventh Circuit’s July 2026 decision in Franco v. Chobani, LLC is interesting for several reasons for ad law followers and enthusiasts, and it has already spurred multiple follow-on class actions challenging ​“zero sugar,” ​“no added sugar,” and similar claims on products containing allulose. The developing litigation highlights a broader risk relevant for all regulated industries, but especially for food, beverage, and dietary supplement companies heeding evolving FDA guidance: compliance with agency guidance may reduce regulatory risk, but it may not prevent private plaintiffs from bringing claims under state consumer protection laws.