Blog
Why did I become a food lawyer?
It started when I read Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma. I always had an interest in food as someone who loves to cook and eat. Reading that book made me see food as central to so many things I care about: the environment, social justice, animal welfare,...
USDA Organic Seal Gains Superpowers from Trademark Law
Like Superman's distinctive "S," USDA's Organic Seal now has ® to signify its superpowers. The US Department of Agriculture recently announced that it registered the USDA Organic Seal with the US Patent and Trademark Office as a certification mark. (The mark was...
FDA’s Proposed New Definition of “Healthy” Raises Concerns
FDA’s proposal to redefine “healthy” as a nutrient content claim in food labeling takes a new approach to better align with nutrition science. But some types of healthy foods will not qualify to be labeled as “healthy.”
Minimizing the Risks of Food Labeling Litigation
Thanks to Startup CPG for inviting Lauren Handel to do this webinar on minimizing the risks of food labeling litigation. Watch the video to learn more about this type of litigation and what kinds of label claims and other issues are most commonly targeted by class...
New York Extends Labor Protections to Farmworkers
Farm workers are often exempted from labor laws that govern wages and hours, regulate working conditions, and guarantee the right to organize. But that is no longer the case in the state of New York, where the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act (FLFLPA) was passed...
New State Laws Restrict “Meat” Labeling for Cell-Cultured and Plant-Based Products
Ten states have now passed laws prohibiting the misrepresentation of foods as "meat" if they are not derived from animal carcasses. Similar bills were introduced in several other states this year. These laws present fascinating (for me, at least) First Amendment...
CBD and Food: What Is the Law?
Can I put cannabidiol (CBD) in my food (or beverage or supplement) product? We get this question a lot these days. It's no wonder that people are confused given seemingly conflicting news reports of late with headlines like, "Evo Hemp: 'Within 6 Months We'll Be Seeing...
USDA Finalizes Rules for Labeling of Bioengineered Foods (Better Known as GMOs)
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the United States Department of Agriculture issued the final National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS), which will require food manufacturers, importers and other entities to indicate on a product’s label...
It’s Time to Renew Your FDA Food Facility Registration
It's an even-numbered year. That means FDA food facility registrations must be renewed by December 31. If you are the owner, operator or agent in charge of a facility that processes, packs or holds food for consumption in the United States, the facility must be...
Changes to California’s Prop 65
California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has overhauled the “clear and reasonable” warning regulations for the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (Prop. 65), effective August 30, 2018. The new approach is designed to reduce the...