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    • In FDA’s RFR Report, Some Intriguing NumbersJuly 29th, 2010

      By Ricardo Carvajal – FDA released a report summarizing the first seven months of the agency’s experience with its Reportable Food Registry (for more on recent developments pertaining to the RFR, see our prior posting here).  The data summarized by FDA show how the potential …

    • Qualified Health Claims: The Commercial Speech Battle ContinuesJuly 27th, 2010

      By Alexander J. Varond* & Diane B. McColl – As noted in our blogpost less than two months ago, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia held that FDA acted unconstitutionally in Alliance for Natural Health, US v. Sebelius when the agency limited qualified …

    • Smaller Retail Food Establishments Get Chance to Pick Their PoisonJuly 27th, 2010

      By Ricardo Carvajal – As we discussed in a prior posting, Section 4205 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires the display of certain nutrition information by chain restaurants and retail food establishments with 20 or more locations doing business under the same …

    • FDA Seeking Public Comment on Federal Menu Labeling RequirementsJuly 20th, 2010

      By Susan J. Matthees – FDA recently announced that the Agency is seeking public comments on how to implement section 4205 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (“PPACA”), which requires certain restaurants and vending machines to disclose nutrition information.  The docket opened on …

    • Nestle Unit’s Settlement with FTC Contains New Provisions Regarding SubstantiationJuly 15th, 2010

      By Peter M. Jaensch – On July 14, 2010, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced an agreement with Nestle HealthCare Nutrition, Inc. (“Nestle”) to settle an FTC investigation with regard to alleged false and misleading health claims. The FTC's Complaint arose from claims made by …

    • Supreme Court Decision on Bioengineered Alfalfa Stirs Action on the HillJuly 1st, 2010

      By Ricardo Carvajal – The Supreme Court overturned a district court decision, affirmed by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, that enjoined the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ("APHIS") from partially deregulating Roundup Ready Alfalfa ("RRA") and prohibited the planting of RRA until …

    • Final Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee AnnouncedJune 29th, 2010

      By Susan J. Matthees –   USDA and HHS have announced the availability of the final Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (“DGAC”).  The agencies are required by law to jointly update and publish the Dietary Guidelines for Americans at least every 5 years, and …

    • CVM’s GRAS Notification Program is Up and RunningJune 6th, 2010

      By Diane B. McColl & Ricardo Carvajal – It’s here!  FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (“CVM”) finally implemented a "generally recognized as safe" (“GRAS”) notification program for use of ingredients in animal feed or pet food.  We have waited for this program since 1997, when it …

    • Snap, Crackle & Pop is OK, but FTC Rules Immunity Claims Off LimitsJune 3rd, 2010

      By Ricardo Carvajal – Kellogg Company has agreed to FTC’s expansion of the settlement order that the company entered into in July 2009 regarding false claims that Frosted Mini-Wheats improve children’s attention (see our prior post here).  At issue now are “dubious health claims” that Rice …

    • Alliance for Natural Health Scores First Amendment Victory on Qualified Health ClaimsJune 1st, 2010

      By Ricardo Carvajal & Diane B. McColl – The Alliance for Natural Health (“ANH”) has prevailed on summary judgment in its court challenge to FDA’s denials of, and restrictions on, certain qualified health claims regarding selenium and cancer.  The decision marks the latest chapter in …

    • FDA Revises its Reportable Food Registry GuidanceMay 26th, 2010

      By Ricardo Carvajal – FDA has revised its draft guidance on the Reportable Food Registry (“RFR”)  to address the new electronic portal for submission of reports, and in response to recent questions that the agency received from industry.  Among the more significant changes and additions: A …

    • FTC Moves to Compel Companies to Submit Information on Marketing of Foods to ChildrenMay 25th, 2010

       By John R. Fleder & Ricardo Carvajal – The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") has announced a second opportunity for public comment on its proposed issuance of compulsory process orders to 48 food and beverage firms.  If those orders are issued, the FTC will demand information …

    • FDA Announces Availability of New Electronic Portal for Reportable Food Registry Reports, Among OthersMay 24th, 2010

      By Ricardo Carvajal – FDA announced that Reportable Food Registry ("RFR") reports can now be submitted through the new FDA-NIH Safety Reporting Portal, which will also accept reports about problems with pet food, animal drug adverse event reports, and human gene transfer clinical trial adverse …

    • After Five Years, FDA Takes Initial Steps to Use Sanitary Food Transport AuthorityMay 6th, 2010

      By Riëtte van Laack – In 2005, the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2005 (“SFTA”) was enacted.  This law shifted responsibility for safe transportation of food from the U.S. Department of Transportation to FDA.  Among other things, the SFTA amended the FDCA to include section …

    • Voluntary Front-of-Pack Food Labeling: A Way to Combat the Obesity Epidemic?April 27th, 2010

      By Cassandra A. Soltis – That’s what the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) is hoping anyway.  In a notice expected to be published in the Federal Register on Thursday, April 29, 2010, FDA will announce that it is requesting data and information from “all interested parties,” …