Defamation: ‘Veggie hate crime’ laws curb speech by food safety advocates

In recent years states have enacted food disparagement laws, known as “veggie hate crime” laws, that pave the way for the food and farm industries to sue for statements that might damage reputations or harm sales. Food safety critics face difficult challenges in the states with food libel laws: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas. (Food & Wine, March 21, 2017, by Rebekah Lowin)

In one case ABC will go to court June 5 in South Dakota to defend itself for calling beef products “pink slime.” The beef industry claims they lost revenue and jobs after the broadcast using the term and is asking for $6 million in damages. (Food & Wine, March 16, 2017, by Rebekah Lowin)