Two of the nation's largest cigarette makers are asking a federal court to stop the Food and Drug Administration from relying on recommendations made by an advisory panel on issues such as menthol cigarettes.
Lorillard Inc. and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. filed the suit Friday in U.S. District Court in Washington. The suit alleges financial conflict of interest and bias by several members of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee.
The panel is tasked with advising the agency on various tobacco-related issues. It is set to release a report in March on the public health impact of menthol cigarettes.
Lorillard, based in Greensboro, N.C., makes the top-selling Newport menthol brand. R.J. Reynolds, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., sells brands like Camel and Pall Mall Red.
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