The Mouse in the Bottle: An Historical Survey of Some Legal Responses

The Advocates' Quarterly, Vol. 20, 1998, 483-506

30 Pages Posted: 25 Nov 2012

See all articles by Jeffrey Miller

Jeffrey Miller

McGill University (Law-2014); Western Univ. (Law-2009-12); Law and Justice Research Centre

Date Written: 1998

Abstract

This article provides an historical survey and analysis of product-liability actions concerning contamination of bottled and canned soft drinks, particularly “soda” or “pop.” It concludes that (1) legal responses – ranging from skepticism to outrage to often stilted judicial humour – appear to mirror cultural ambivalence about industrialization and the treatment of food as a commodity; (2) reported actions signal the reluctant but steady shifting of responsibility from purchaser to seller.

Keywords: commercial law, torts, product liability, sale of goods, Cokelore, urban legend

Suggested Citation

Miller, Jeffrey, The Mouse in the Bottle: An Historical Survey of Some Legal Responses (1998). The Advocates' Quarterly, Vol. 20, 1998, 483-506, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2180279

Jeffrey Miller (Contact Author)

McGill University (Law-2014); Western Univ. (Law-2009-12) ( email )

3644 Peel Street
Montreal, Quebec H3A 1W9
Canada

Law and Justice Research Centre ( email )

Toronto, Ontario
Canada

HOME PAGE: http://jeffreymiller.ca

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