Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_14-cv-02241/USCOURTS-casd-3_14-cv-02241-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ASHLEY FRANZ,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 14cv2241-LAB (AGS)

ORDER GRANTING LEAVE TO FILE

SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT

vs.

BEIERSDORF, INC.,

Defendant.

Through this putative class action, Ashley Franz asserts that Beiersdorf, Inc. makes

misleading representations on bottles of its Nivea CoQ10 Lotion. The Court determined that

Ashley Franz’s UCL claim falls within the primary jurisdiction of the FDA, and stayed the

case while she pursued it through the administrative process. (Docket no. 34.) Franz

submitted a citizen petition with the FDA. Without discussing the merits of Franz’s claim, the

FDA “den[ied her] petition” and informed her that it “d[id] not intend to take action at this time

regarding Nivea CoQ10.” (Docket no. 37.)

Franz now moves file a second amended complaint. (Docket no. 41.) Beiersdorf

opposes the motion. (Docket no. 42.) “When the agency declines to provide guidance or

to commence a proceeding that might obviate the need for judicial action, the court can then

proceed according to its own light.” Owner-Operator Indep. Drivers Ass'n, Inc. v. New Prime,

Inc., 192 F.3d 778, 785–86 (8th Cir. 1999) (brackets omitted). The parties’ dispute centers

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on whether the FDA rejected the premise of Franz’s claim, or simply declined to exercise its

primary jurisdiction. (Docket nos. 41 and 42.) The Court concludes that it’s the latter. The

FDA provided no insight regarding whether Nivea CoQ10 lotion is a drug or whether its

labeling is misleading. It simply declined to get involved at this time. Thus, consistent with

New Prime, Franz’s motion to file a second amended complaint is GRANTED. She shall file

her second amended complaint no later than October 7, 2016.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: September 30, 2016

___________________________________

HONORABLE LARRY ALAN BURNS

United States District Judge 

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