The OIG released an advisory opinion April 29th stating that a Medigap plan would not face administrative sanctions for discounting up to 100% of policyholders’ inpatient deductibles at network hospitals for which it otherwise would be liable and then passing
Food safety newsletter – April 2015
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:
Broad interpretation of France’s Sunshine Act continues global trend toward transparency
Beyond the United States’ Physician Payments Sunshine Act reporting requirements, international pharmaceutical and device companies must account for a growing number of transparency requirements related to their interactions with healthcare professionals.
For example, in France, the Bertrand Act requires transparency
Australia – Warning: Imported Food Ahead
On 2 March 2015, minority independent Federal Member, Bob Katter, introduced into the Australian Parliament the Imported Food Warnings Labels Bill 2015. This Bill seeks that all imported food products carry the label:
Warning: Imported Food. This food has
Scotland’s Focus On Food Safety & Healthy Eating: Food Standards Scotland
Scotland launched the Food Standards Scotland (FSS) on April 1, 2015. FSS is Scotland’s public sector food agency that took over responsibilities previously carried out by the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).
In 2010, United Kingdom government had transferred
DeCosters of Quality Egg LLC sentenced
On April 13, 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett sentenced Peter and Austin (Jack) DeCosters to three months in jail, one year probation, and a $100,000 fine for their role in causing a salmonella outbreak in 2010. The
Breast milk purchased online found to be diluted with cow’s milk
A study conducted by a team led by Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio found that ten percent of the breast milk samples purchased from Internet milk-sharing websites contained added cow’s milk. The study, which was published in the journal
Tyson to phase out antibiotics in chicken
Tyson Foods has announced its intention to eliminate human antibiotics from its chickens over the next two years in an effort to impede the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections in humans. Under the plans announced on April 28, Tyson said it
Chipotle goes GMO-free
Chipotle Mexican Grill just announced its plans to remove genetically modified ingredients from its food. Chipotle is the first national fast food chain to take such steps. All of Chipotle’s restaurants are now using non-GMO corn, which goes into many
World Health Organization announces food safety awareness initiative
The World Health Organization (“WHO”) dedicated last week’s World Health Day to spreading awareness of food safety. World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 each year to mark the anniversary of the 1948 founding of the WHO. In the