Influenced by laws in existence in multiple states, including California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington, the New York State Legislature has examined in recent years extended producer...more
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced actions to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from foods in the U.S. food supply. In a news release, FDA said...more
Our blog has reported previously on California PFAS regulations, including its watershed laws with novel definitions of PFAS and the noted problems with the total organic fluorine testing method. (Prior CA blog posts on...more
In the past month, both Maine and Massachusetts have taken steps to implement extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws and rules, with the intent of shifting the financial responsibility of managing packaging material from...more
In the absence of comprehensive federal regulation of PFAS in food packaging, states are dishing out their own laws. Thus far, twelve states have enacted laws addressing PFAS substances in food containers and packaging...more
The Tennessee Waste Reduction and Recycling Act (“Act”) has been introduced into the Tennessee General Assembly which would require sellers, distributors, and importers of certain packaging materials to take actions to reduce...more
In November 2023, Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a cattle rancher, introduced the Real Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully Act of 2023, also known as the “Real MEAT Act.” The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on...more
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws impose liability on producers for the lifecycle of their products. EPR laws are found worldwide, particularly in Europe and Canada, but are becoming more prevalent at the state...more
On July 27, 2023, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., (D-NJ), along with Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bernie...more
In the absence of comprehensive federal regulation of PFAS in food packaging, states are dishing out their own laws. Thus far, eleven states have enacted laws concerning PFAS substances in food containers and packaging...more
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are a family of man-made chemicals manufactured since the 1940s for their stain, water and oil-resisting properties. These so-called “forever chemicals” have been...more
The subject of six lawsuits filed in three states, paraquat is widely used in the agricultural industry and, sadly, often causes illnesses to those least able to care for themselves: workers. Workers on farms and ranches...more
The Oregon legislature is considering House Bill 2065 (Bill or HB 2065), a bill designed to restructure Oregon’s recycling system. The Bill is the result of the Oregon Recycling Steering Committee, a collaborative process to...more
On February 11, 2020, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), U.S. Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and U.S. Representative Katherine Clark (D-MA) introduced a bill that would phase out...more
Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana. The big news in cannabis this week comes from New Mexico. Legislation introduced last Thursday would legalize...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - Senate Bill to Investigate PFAS Introduced - Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) have introduced legislation that would providing...more
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has sent a letter to Scott Gottlieb, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), calling for an investigation into the use of phthalates in food and fast-food packaging. Citing a...more