Role of microbial risk assessment in food safety.
Worldwide, food contamination (intentional or unintentional) leading to foodborne diseases is a major public health concern. Over the past 20-30 years there has been a major change in the epidemiology of foodborne illness, with global spread of existing and new pathogens. The many factors that have contributed to this...

Tobacco regulation, mental health parity back on Congress' agenda.
Public health issues that have found themselves waiting in the wings in Congress in recent years--such as tobacco regulation, mental health parity and food safety regulation--are once again back in the spotlight. Legislators have taken up a flurry of bills aimed at improving the nation's health in...

Foodborne infections and the global food supply: improving health at home and abroad.
ABSTRACT In recent years, fourteen percent of the U.S. food supply has been imported from other countries, including many fresh and perishable foods. Although most outbreaks of illness and individual cases are related to foods from the United States, large and unusual outbreaks have been traced to...

Experience and perceptions of ISO 9000 and HACCP by Hong Kong food and beverage organizations.
ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to explore the views of individuals responsible for quality assurance in Hong Kong (HK) food and beverage companies with regards to their acceptance or rejection of the ISO 9000 quality management system or HACCP food safety system standards, along with...

From the USA with love: sharing home-grown hormones, GMOs, and clones with a reluctant Europe.
I. INTRODUCTION II. DISCUSSION A. Hormones B. GMOs 1. The Cartagena Protocol and the World Trade Organization 2. The WTO Debate. 3. European Union and United States Regulations. a. European Union Regulations b. United States Regulations 4. Consumer Preferences and the Future of the GM Debate C. Cloned Products...

El impacto de la iniciativa de inocuidad alimentaria de Estados Unidos en las exportaciones de hortalizas frescas del noroeste de Mexico.
Resumen: La iniciativa de inocuidad alimentaria del gobierno de Estados Unidos surge como respuesta a un problema de salud pública, y la búsqueda de solución origina una serie de reglamentaciones, que pueden convertirse en una barrera técnica al comercio (BTC), sobre todo para exportaciones de hortalizas frescas de países...

Groups join forces to improve food safety.
The University of Guelph and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently agreed to create a Canadian educational and research food safety regulation program. Their three-year agreement aims to: * establish a Canadian Institute for Food Inspection and Regulation at the University of Guelph, ...

Federal Food and Drug Act violations.
I. INTRODUCTION This Article describes the elements of criminal violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ("FDCA" or the "Act"). (1) In 1938, Congress enacted the FDCA pursuant to its constitutional authority to regulate interstate commerce. (2) The primary purpose of the law is to protect...

Federal food and drug act violations.
I. INTRODUCTION II. ELEMENTS OF THE OFFENSE A. Statutory Elements 1. Food, Drug, Cosmetic, or Device 2. Adulterated or Misbranded 3. Delivery or Transportation in Interstate Commerce B. Misdemeanor Violations and the "Responsible Relation" Element C. Felony Prosecutions III. DEFENSES A. Constitutional Defenses 1. Fourth Amendment 2. Fifth Amendment...

Intentional contamination: the legal risks and responsibilities.
Editor's note: The Journal recognizes the importance of providing readers with practical and relevant legal information through Legal Briefs columns. In every other issue of the Journal, this information has been presented by the attorneys at Seattle-based Marler Clark, LLP, PS (www.marlerclark.com). Marler Clark has developed a nationally known...