StarKist Loses Bid to Dismiss Suit Over ‘Dolphin Safe’ Label

StarKist Co. failed to defeat claims over its “100% dolphin-safe” marketing, as the Northern District of California said consumers sufficiently alleged they believed the company followed strict standards and no dolphins were harmed in tuna catches.

Warren Gardner and others alleged viable claims under the consumer protection laws of California and five other states, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California said.

Plaintiffs sufficiently allege they believed StarKist set itself to a higher standard than required by federal regulators under the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, which sets a minimum framework for labeling tuna as “dolphin-safe,” the ...