Nestle, Kellogg, General Mills, Unilever among major U.S. food manufacturing companies being accused of infringing patents covering fats that alter ratio of 'good' and 'bad' cholesterol in blood

Nevin Barich

LOS ANGELES , March 5, 2012 (Industry Intelligence) – Brandeis University and GFA Brands are accusing such major U.S. food manufacturing companies as Nestle, Kellogg, General Mills and Unilever of infringing patents covering fats that alter the ratio of “good” and “bad” cholesterol in the blood, NutraIngredients-USA reported March 5.

Brandeis and GFA allege that these companies and others infringed upon U.S. patents that was awarded to Brandeis and licensed exclusively to GFA. The patents cover fats and fat blends that decrease bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol in the human serum.

The plaintiffs, who are seeking a jury trial and damages, allege that the defendants have made, sold or imported products that infringe the patents, or bought fats that infringe the patents and used them in the manufacturing of their products. The defendants, meanwhile, claim that the lawsuit is without merit.

The primary source of this article is NutraIngredients-USA, Montpellier, France, on March 5, 2012.

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