Food & Beverage Litigation & Regulatory Update

Category: Issue 305

  • Harkin, DeLauro Propose Federal Menu Labeling Laws

    U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) have introduced companion bills (S. 1048 and H.R. 2426) that would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act “to extend the food labeling requirements of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990” to standard menu items offered at large chain restaurants. Known…

  • Senate Confirms Hamburg as New FDA Commissioner

    The U.S. Senate has reportedly voted unanimously to confirm former New York City Health Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D., as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A physician with expertise in bioterrorism and pandemics, Hamburg told the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions that she intends to address the agency’s food safety…

  • White House Announces Major Policy Change on Preemption

    President Barack Obama (D) has released a memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies instructing them to “include statements of preemption in regulations only when such statements have a sufficient legal basis.” Under the Bush administration, a number of health and safety agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, often placed such statements…