The monthly newsletter will provide a quick overview of legal issues affecting food safety, including the enactment of new statutes and regulations and significant case law developments, in the US and abroad.
In this issue:
January 2015
HHS aims to tie payments to quality; more quality-of-care FCA suits ahead?
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Today, HHS announced goals and a timeline to move the Medicare program toward paying for the quality – not quantity – of healthcare provided to patients.
Although HHS anticipates “better, smarter, healthier” results, this move could give whistleblowers …
FDA Warning Letter update
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*Practice supervised by principals of the firm admitted in the District of Columbia.
It is FDA’s practice to issue Warning Letters in order to provide individuals and companies an opportunity to take voluntary and prompt corrective action before it initiates…
European Food Safety Authority calls for better communication on raw milk risks
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The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)’s Panel on Biological Hazards recently published a Scientific Opinion that concluded that the risks associated with drinking raw milk need to be better communicated to consumers. Tasked with identifying the risks associated with drinking…
China bans imports of US poultry and eggs in response to bird-flu fears
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China has banned all imports of US poultry and eggs following the detection of avian influenza in the Pacific Northwest late last year, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
China’s actions follow the discoveries of a strain of…
Senator calls for increased inspections of food warehouses due to “disgusting conditions”
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United States senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is asking the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to increase its efforts to deal with unsanitary conditions in food facilities. Citing recent FDA Food Safety Warning letters that warn facilities to remedy violations…
High egg prices in California due to implementation of new laws
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America’s egg industry is adjusting to the restraints of two new California laws. Effective January 1, 2015, Proposition 2 and Bill AB 1437 prohibit the sale of eggs in California that were produced by chickens housed in too-small spaces.
Passed…
USDA proposed rule to change meal pattern requirements for day cares
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The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Services issued a proposed rule on January 15, 2015 to change the meal pattern requirements for day care homes receiving federal dollars under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
FDA releases for comment draft Environmental Impact Statement for proposed produce safety rule
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Earlier this month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its proposed rule on produce safety. The proposed produce safety rule was promulgated under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and provides…
California AG fowls out on foie gras ban
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Restaurants across California may no longer need to find creative ways to put foie gras on their menus, as a California federal court has ruled that federal law preempts California’s ban on the sale of the delicacy and enjoined the…