Food law refers to the collection of laws and stipulations governing food production, distribution, and consumption. The objective of food laws is to protect consumers and create efficient growth and use of food in the US.
Food lawyers are focused on assisting clients in complying with food laws and regulations. Additionally, they may work with government agencies to make and enforce food laws and policies.
Attorneys at SBEMP (Slovak, Baron, Empey, Murphy & Pinkney) law firm provides professional legal advice and services to clients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Inland Empire, Orange County, Coachella Valley, Costa Mesa, San Diego, New Jersey, New York, and surrounding locations.
Food Laws Cover Various Topics
A majority of individuals understand that food laws govern tariffs on agricultural imports, pesticide use, and restaurant cleanliness.
However, food law also encompasses other topics that some consumers may not have considered. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration controls the manufacturing of bottled water.
Food laws control what supplement producers can claim regarding the effectiveness of their produces. The U.S. food stamp program comes under food law and is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food laws can also cover areas of constitutional law such as whether the federal government can legally control local farm production.
Where do food laws come from?
Food laws exist at the federal, state, and local levels. The federal government creates laws such as the Food and Drug Administration Revitalization Act.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a body through which the federal government develops further regulations and takes steps to enforce federal food law. Additionally, extensive state laws also exist. These laws govern areas such as distribution, packaging, adulteration, and fraud in the food industry.
Food attorneys assist their clients in complying with food law
A food lawyer helps their clients comply with food laws based on a thorough understanding of their client’s business operations. A restaurant has a different set of laws and regulations to follow in comparison to, say, a meat processor and distributor.
Similarly, a farmer will need to follow a different set of regulations in comparison to a store owner who will need to comply with laws pertaining to food assistance. An understanding of what laws are applicable to the client’s industry and activities is important to be able to meet the client’s needs.
The Food and Drug Administration
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is the federal body that has the authority to regulate food safety. The FDA was created in 1938 by the United States Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In response to the death of 100 people from a medication, Congress passed the U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
The Act governs food, dietary supplements, and food additives and creates laws that regulate food-related activities. It instates civil as well as criminal penalties for federal food law violations.
Food law and the Legal Profession
Federal, state and local laws control the production, distribution, marketing and consumption of food. Food laws impact around 25 percent of the United States economy.
Food law means understanding what laws exist and developing a plan to comply with them for businesses in the food industry. Food attorneys assist their clients in conducting business in a legal and efficient manner.
Lawyers at the SBEMP law firm serve clients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Inland Empire, Orange County, Coachella Valley, Costa Mesa, San Diego, New Jersey, New York, and nearby locations for a range of legal practice areas.
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SBEMP LLP is a full service law firm with attorney offices in Palm Springs (Palm Desert, Inland Empire, Rancho Mirage), CA; Indian Wells, CA; Costa Mesa (Orange County), CA; San Diego, CA; New Jersey, NJ; and New York, NY.
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