Each of the cases involved a situation where information on the product's packaging belied Plaintiff's proposed interpretation or definition. That is, Barkman argues that Plaintiff fails to adequately plead that Barkman's use of the term "raw" to describe its Honey is false. That is not the case here. We are honeybee people. Some of the things we do to assure they are healthy pollinator hives can damage their potential to be good honey producing bees. Though honey is just as sweet and delicious in its crystallized form, you can easily liquefy it to make it easier to pour. Our packing facilities receive the raw honey, which most times crystallizes during shipping, and samples from each lot are drawn by our Quality personnel. It is naturally high in fructose or fruit sugar, which gives it a much lower glycemic index or glycemic load than table sugar (sucrose). See Trujillo, 465 F.3d at 1222-23; FDIC v. McGlamery, 74 F.3d 218, 222 (10th Cir. There are no added ingredients. Its an environment that fosters respect, collaboration, camaraderie, values and community service. Doc. It is a sad thing as a producer to see all the potential honey sources out there and not enough moisture to let the bees take full advantage of them. Doc. Often its a result of which of the 300 types of flowers worldwide the bees have fed on. Doc. Doc. The majority of honey is composed of carbohydrates. This is due to air bubbles trapped in the honey during processing and packaging. Barkman's argument for dismissal of this claim is entirely premised on its contention that, because each of Plaintiff's other claims fails, Plaintiff cannot show the requisite "case or controversy" to support his declaratory judgment claim. PrivacyPolicy|TermsandConditions| CaliforniaTransparencyinSupplyChainsAct, CaliforniaTransparencyinSupplyChainsAct. Doc. 2006). Weve even created the Extracting Facility Survey, a tool used to develop industry best practices and help honey producers grade their facilities, leading to improved overall quality. True Source is named as a defendant to five of Plaintiff's seven claims: Count II for negligence, Count III for violation of the KCPA, Count IV for fraudulent misrepresentation, Count VI for fraudulent concealment, and Count VII for declaratory judgment. Plaintiff Dave Wingate filed this consumer-fraud case on behalf of a putative plaintiff class against Defendants Barkman Honey, LLC ("Barkman") and True Source Honey, LLC ("True Source"). .column-right{width:30%} })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv='); Barkman Honey starts Project Re-Entry Doc. The majority of our processing and packing operations and our corporate offices remain in Kansas, says Rebecca Ignowski, marketing coordinator. 55-gallon drums are filled with the honey, sealed, assigned a lot code, and moved to a staging area for shipment to the honey packer facility. See, e.g., Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S. 343, 357 (1996) ("[E]ven named plaintiffs who represent a class must allege and show that they personally have been injured, not that injury has been suffered by other, unidentified members of the class to which they belong and which they purport to represent. PrivacyPolicy|TermsandConditions| CaliforniaTransparencyinSupplyChainsAct. Simply put, its a page of good ideas sent in by readers to make life in bees faster, simpler, easier, cheaper and better. . Visit our Honey Types page for more information on different kinds of honey. For these reasons, the Court declines to sever and transfer Plaintiff's claims against True Source pursuant to 1631 and instead dismisses them without prejudice to their refiling in an appropriate forum. 675 N.E.2d at 593. Visit our Nutrition page for more information. It's heated carefully to allow it to remain liquid longer while preserving natural flavor and aroma. #branding > div > div > div > div:nth-child(2) > div{ Plaintiff alleges he relied on the Honey's label, and Barkman's website, in making that purchase. The reason this happens is because infants intestinal microflora is still underdeveloped. With a purpose of perpetuating the honeybee, we're on a mission to safeguard and sustain honeybees for the livelihood of beekind and humankind through bee health initiatives, bee habitat preservation programs, beekeeper recruitment programs and consumer education. For more information, visit our Nutrition page. Under Plaintiff's definition, honey is "raw" if those properties remain intact; honey is not "raw" if those properties are altered, compromised, or destroyed. One thing to note the flavor of your honey will become stronger as its color darkens. display: inline-grid; The USDA Organic seal on each bottle shows the honey was collected and handled in a manner that maintained organic integrity. Our Sensory Experts then use advanced proprietary technology to blend together just the right combination of unadulterated honey. If you have a good idea youd like to share, give us a paragraph or two on what it is, and a drawing or photo of what it looks like if that is needed to better share the idea. And Barkman does not raise any other arguments for dismissal of this claim. Inmates applying for the Barkman Honey inmate program must be located in minimum security, have history of good behavior with low risk for violence or re-offending, be stringently screened for mental and physical health, not be convicted of a sex crime and must be 1 to 8 years from release. But the Court denies Barkman's motion as it pertains to Plaintiff's claims for fraudulent misrepresentation and declaratory judgment. Bell Atl. See Doc. 24-25. . To state a claim for fraudulent concealment under Illinois law, "a plaintiff must allege that the defendant concealed a material fact when he was under a duty to disclose that fact to plaintiff." Plaintiff has adequately pleaded knowledge, intent, reliance, and damages. Additionally, 10% of inmate wages are directed to a mandatory savings account to further help with the transition back to society. It is filtered using the United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) approved method, which removes most fine particles, pollen grains, air bubbles and other matter. Courts ultimately have discretion in deciding whether transfer is appropriate and can consider the issue sua sponte. In addition to Pam's Honey Bee Health Research programs, Seeds for Bees is a great example of giving the almond grower a tool to help take care of the bees that are so valuable to them, and The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund is a program that is just getting a good start in changing the landscape of the farming community that will help create a sustainable environment which benefits nature and farmers alike. } Higher moisture honey is less viscous than lower moisture honey. Nowhere in the complaint does Plaintiff allege that he was in a confidential, fiduciary, or otherwise "special" relationship with Barkman or that Barkman was in a position of superiority over him. Our sugarcane molasses is comprised of naturally occurring elements, such as carbohydrates, water, protein, salts, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Ideally floral varieties stay the same but due to weather and other seasonal factors, local bees may choose to forage from alternative floral sources. Doc. Molasses can be used as a sweetener in baked foods or as table syrup. One might guess that would seem pretty sweet to Esra. of property or services within this state . The others get a free 1 year subscription. 1 4, 91. Id. There is nothing wrong with the honey or the foam. But Plaintiff's fraudulent misrepresentation claim and request for declaratory judgment remain for disposition. And the two cases that Plaintiff relies on to support his specific jurisdiction argumentThermal Insulation Systems, Inc. v. Ark-Seal Corp., 508 F. Supp.

.issuem_archive { Barkman Honey is shipped to Hillsboro from beekeepers all over the world. Id. The leaves are cut away from the mature plant, leaving a fibrous core called a pia, which resembles a pineapple, weighing up to 100 pounds. Specifically, Plaintiff claims that Barkman heats the Honeyallegedly to make processing and bottling easierand, in doing so, the Honey's physical properties are altered, compromised, or destroyed, rendering the Honey not, in fact, "raw." max-height:275px; All rights reserved. THE COURT THEREFORE ORDERS that Defendant True Source Honey, LLC's motion to dismiss (Doc. One serving size of honey is one tablespoon (21g). This auditing tool was shared and has since been adopted for industry-wide use by the NHB Quality Assurance Committee and endorsed by the USDA. Not only is there a shortage of bee pasture as corn and beans take over the landscape that used to be covered with bee friendly plants, but those that are there are thirsting for water that will let them produce nectar for the bees. @media only screen and (max-width: 480px) { For the following reasons, the Court finds this standard warrants dismissal of three of the five claims asserted against Barkman: Plaintiff's claims for negligence, violation of the KCPA, and fraudulent concealment. No one has a more focused commitment to product safety than Barkman Honey. Although the Court finds that this claim survives a motion to dismiss, the Court expresses no opinion as to whether this claim is amenable to class certification given the potentially vexing issue of reliance inherent in a fraud claim. THE COURT FURTHER ORDERS that Defendant Barkman Honey, LLC's motion to dismiss (Doc. We want to provide honey for consumers as well as provide a service to the growers of other products that rely on us for pollination. .g-16 { margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;width:100%; max-width:263px; height:100%; max-height:263px; } Neither party disputes that Illinois law applies to Plaintiff's negligence claim. h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)}; Sweet Select Light Blue Agave Sweetener is a natural, viscous liquid made from the blue agave plant valued for its premium, consistent taste, boasting the lowest glycemic index of agave sweeteners. Docs. It is strained using minimal processing that retains more natural pollen and enzymes that are typically removed from standard, filtered honey. These spores are widely distributed in nature. Creamed honey is crystallized, which means creamed honey has tiny honey crystals that have been mixed (not whipped) to create the final delicious treat. Please note: Floral varieties are subject to change based on environmental factors. at 678-79.

And Barkman also contends that, even accepting this definition, Plaintiff has not pleaded facts suggesting Barkman heated the Honey above 105 degrees so as to render its use of the term "raw" false. at 12.

Barkman likewise moves to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), arguing Plaintiff fails to state a claim for relief.

All rights reserved. Docs. As I think about what to address in this article it occurs to me that procrastination is one of my best and worst qualities.

It contains no additives or preservatives and is grown organically and sustainably.

These are often competing parts of our job as producers. } To liquefy your crystallized honey visit our FAQ page. The pias are taken to the processing plant where they are crushed to expose the inulin-rich fiber and juice. Did you know that millions of pounds of mislabeled and illegally sourced Chinese honey made its way to grocery stores across America? The juice is placed into a crystallizer, spinning out molasses. When the supers (michiganbee.org) are full of honey, the beekeeper carefully removes the bees and then transports the hive boxes to the extraction facility. . Transfer would also require the parties to litigate this case in two separate forums. True Source moves to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction under Rule 12(b)(2) and for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6). Measuring honey by weight is the best way to guarantee product consistency. a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];

Doc. 1. Once opened, we recommend storing in a cool location to avoid future container bulging.

To the contrary, documents submitted by True Source with its motion indicate that no True Source employee has ever traveled to Kansas on behalf of True Source.

After ingestion, C. botulinum spores can germinate, grow and produce toxin in the lower bowel of some infants less than 1 year of age. The Court finds that Plaintiff has plausibly alleged that a reasonable consumer could share his definition and, thus, adequately pleads a false statement. According to WebMD expert Michael Palumbo, an allergist with Allergy and Clinical Immunology Associates, pollen blowing in the wind (released by non-flowering trees, weeds and grasses) is what generally triggers springtime allergies, not the pollen in flowers carried by bees. Id. Nor do the parties dispute the applicability of Illinois law to Plaintiff's fraudulent misrepresentation (see infra Part II.B.2.c) and fraudulent concealment (see infra Part II.B.2.d) claims. .sub-menu-columns .sub-menu .sub-links > .menu-item-has-children > a {color:#ffcc0d;} Barkman moves to dismiss each count under Rule 12(b)(6), arguing Plaintiff fails to state a claim for relief. 2011).

In response, not only does Plaintiff consent to the dismissal of his negligence claimby stating that he "voluntarily dismisses" the claimhe does not respond to any of Barkman's substantive arguments in favor of dismissal. In this case, Plaintiff tacitly concedes True Source's argument that the Court cannot maintain general jurisdiction over True Source. Molasses is made from unsulphured juice of sugarcane. In its motion, Barkman argues Plaintiff's KCPA claim fails because Plaintiff alleges he purchased the Honey in his home state of Illinois (see Doc. Per the USDA, organic products mustbe produced without excluded methods, (e.g., genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge). .redHeader > a{ We use two different processes with our honey: our filtered honeyis packaged using the United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) approved filtration method, resulting in the removal of all or most of the fine particles, pollen grains, air bubbles and other materials. A gentle warming process is applied to slowly liquefy the honey. Currently, honey is measured in weight and not in fluid ounces due to the variable moisture content. } Changes wont be saved until you sign up for an Enhanced Profile subscription. Honey is a sweet, viscous (thick) substance produced by bees from the nectar of flowers. Doc. 13. In its natural state, honey will eventually crystallize. Best of the month wins $100.00. One producer in Wisconsin shared that it rains all the time, and the bees cant work enough to fill boxes with honey. By USDA definition, honey in this category is filtered to the extent that all or most fine particles, pollen grains, air bubbles or other matter normally found in raw honey have been removed. 1. r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1; The label describes the Honey as "100% Pure Raw Honey" and also bears a mark declaring that the Honey has been "certified" by True Source, a honey-industry trade organization based in Washington, D.C. and Canada that Plaintiff alleges exists to give consumers assurances that honey has been sourced from an identified country, has not been adulterated, is pure, and is accurately labeled. Doc. Plaintiff asserts seven causes of action against Barkman and True Source: (1) Count I for negligence (against Barkman); (2) Count II for negligence (against True Source); (3) Count III for violation of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act ("KCPA"), K.S.A. Agave contains no additives or preservatives. height:263px !important; Please dont heat your plastic honey bottles in the microwave. Chill before shaping and baking. 31 at 5. P.S. World-Wide Volkswagen, Co. v. Woodson, 444 U.S. 286, 291 (1980). Second if the defendant's actions create the requisite minimum contacts, courts must then consider whether exercising personal jurisdiction over the defendant would offend "traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice." } Such a duty may arise where: (1) the plaintiff and the defendant are in "a fiduciary or confidential relationship"; or (2) where the plaintiff places "trust and confidence" in the defendant, placing the defendant in a position of influence and superiority over the plaintiff, which may arise by reason of friendship, agency, or experience. Over time, all honey darkens, which doesnt mean there is something wrong with it. Id.

All rights reserved. True Source's Motion to Dismiss (Doc. But there are no allegations in the complaint or evidence that True Source ever provided such "oversight" of Barkman's packaging process or reviewed Barkman's equipment and facilities. Send it in an email to Jerry@beeculture.com, with All Around in the subject line. We focus on authenticity, safety and quality. Its called ALL AROUND THE BEEYARD. Barkman Honey, a leading provider of high quality, traceable honey since 1960 is headquartered in Hillsboro, Kansas and employs over 100 team members. If you choose to keep it in the fridge, it will crystallize sooner than if stored at room temperature. After opening, it can be stored in your cabinet; no refrigeration necessary. 1 33. .column-center2{ display: inline-block; width: 15%; vertical-align: top; } All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Barkman Honey. 16 at 5-11 (failing to address this argument). They can be found in soil, dust, the air or raw agricultural products. } The plaintiff bears the burden to establish personal jurisdiction over each defendant. It will do so more quickly if exposed to lower temperatures. The majority of organic honey comes from Brazil, Canada and Mexico. 36 at 6-7. Have you seen our newest column in Bee Culture? Here, the complaint alleges that Plaintiff sustained his injurieswhich he identifies as financialin his home state of Illinois, where he purchased the Honey. Plaintiff alleges that, when honey reaches a temperature greater than 105 degrees, those enzymes begin to break down. Honey does not spoil. Partnership and Marketing Opportunities Book, Attraction Development Grant Reporting Forms. The Court therefore denies Barkman's motion to dismiss as it pertains to Count IV for fraudulent misrepresentation. Plaintiff's allegations regarding this statement therefore support his definition of "raw" because this statement arguably recognizes that consumers are concerned that too much heat during processing could alter, compromise, or destroy the natural enzymes. 50-623, et seq. .g-9 { margin:0px 10px 0px 10px; } (citing Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 472 (1985); Asahi Metal Indus. --------. Other factors also weigh against transfer, including, again, the fact that neither party requested transfer as an alternative to dismissal or otherwise raised this issue in the briefing. The Court addresses the arguments with respect to each claim. Plaintiff seeks actual damagesincluding the "premium" price paid for the Honey and costs incurred in replacing the Honey with "truly 100% raw honey"as well as declaratory relief, costs and attorneys' fees, pre- and post-judgment interest, and punitive damages. In his opposition, Plaintiff argues that, even where there is no "special" relationship between a plaintiff and defendant, a duty to disclose still arises where the fraud involves a "half-truth," which Plaintiff claims is this case here.

Chemically, honey is composed of 38.5% fructose, 31.0% glucose, 17.1% water, 7.2% maltose, 4.2% trisaccharides, 1.5% sucrose, and 0.5% is made up of minerals, vitamins and enzymes.