I’ve just discovered that there are food libel laws. A nice neutral ground for discussion of the conflict between free speech and protecting reputation from defamation
Food Libel laws are back in the news as a South Dakota based meat processor, Beef Products, Inc., has sued ABC news over its reports on “Pink Slime” in ground meat. “Pink Slime” was the name given to a ground meat additive made up of beef trimmings treated with ammonia gas. Beef Products, Inc., also sued the scientist credited with coining the name. As a result of the news stories, several fast food chains, school districts, and grocery stores refused to use meat with the additive. The lawsuit seeks $1.2 billion in damages.
Such lawsuits raise the issue of whether one can sue for defamation of a product instead of an individual. Or, to play off a Mitt Romney quote frequently taken out of context, if corporations are people, can corporations sue for defamation?
Yes. One way is through a series of laws generally referred to as Food Libel. A…
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Utopia, you are standing in it! 
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