No. 23-1038October Term 2024Decided Apr 2, 2025
Food and Drug Administration, Petitioner v. Wages and White Lion Investments, L.L.C., dba Triton Distribution, et al.
The Supreme Court ruled that the FDA did not act arbitrarily or capriciously when it denied applications to market flavored e-cigarette products, finding the agency's requirement for robust scientific evidence was consistent with the Tobacco Control Act.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Apr 2, 2025
- What it's about
The Supreme Court ruled that the FDA did not act arbitrarily or capriciously when it denied applications to market flavored e-cigarette products, finding the agency's requirement for robust scientific evidence was consistent with the Tobacco Control Act. The Court also clarified the harmless-error standard under the Administrative Procedure Act, determining that the FDA's failure to review marketing plans did not prejudice the outcome.
Question presented
Was the Food and Drug Administration’s orders denying respondents’ applications for authorization to market new e-cigarette products arbitrary and capricious, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit / Decision released Apr 2, 2025
- Area
Administrative Law
Documents
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Mar 30, 2026
- Method
- Methodology