Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_13-cv-04402/USCOURTS-cand-3_13-cv-04402-7/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

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

MARY SWEARINGEN, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

AMAZON PRESERVATION PARTNERS, 

INC.,

Defendant.

Case No. 13-cv-04402-WHO 

ORDER EXTENDING STAY AND 

CONTINUING CASE MANAGEMENT 

CONFERENCE

Re: Dkt. No. 61

On August 11, 2014, the Court entered a stay of this case in light of the FDA’s decision in 

March, 2014 to reopen the comment period for draft guidance on the use of the term “evaporated 

cane juice,” which is central to the claims in this case. Dkt. No. 52. On December 24, 2014, the 

FDA published a notice indicating that it is evaluating the submitted comments and considering 

appropriate actions. Dkt. No. 54, p.7. On July 8, 2015, the FDA indicated in a letter to Judge 

Chen that it “anticipates that a final guidance will issue before the end of 2016.” See Dkt. No. 61, 

p.9 of 21 (quoting letter from Leslie Kux, Associate Commissioner of Policy, Food and Drug 

Administration, to Judge Chen).

The plaintiffs initially agreed with defendants that a stay was appropriate, but now are 

impatient (for good reason) with the time the FDA is taking on this issue. They are wrong, 

however, to suggest that there is a trend in this District to lift similar stays--the overwhelming 

majority of cases remain stayed, as defendant points out. Dkt. No. 61, p. 14 of 21. And 

impatience is not a reason to lift a stay when primary jurisdiction applies. The FDA reiterated in 

its letter to Judge Chen that it is working on final guidance. The stay is extended until further 

order of this Court. I will CONTINUE the Case Management Conference set for January 12, 2016 

to July 19, 2016. The Joint Statement is due on July 12, 2016. The parties are directed to inform 

Case 3:13-cv-04402-WHO Document 63 Filed 01/11/16 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

the Court within 20 days of any FDA action on this issue. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 11, 2015 

______________________________________ 

WILLIAM H. ORRICK 

United States District Judge 

Case 3:13-cv-04402-WHO Document 63 Filed 01/11/16 Page 2 of 2