Innovation and Food Safety – as Good Together as Peanut Butter and Chocolate

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of meeting with John Russell, a representative for an innovative company, AquaLab. John talked to us at thefoodlawyer about some really interesting technology the company has developed for use in (among others) the food space.

Chatting with John served as an important reminder:  We tend to think about food in the context of the people who make it (farmers, producers, etc.), people who sell it (supermarkets, restaurants, etc.) and people who regulate it (Health Canada).  When it comes to innovation in the food industry (a favourite of ours!), it’s often companies outside the traditional food space that really move the needle. Continue reading

My Thoughts on the Government’s Role in the Fight Against Obesity

Hello readers!  Here’s a post I wrote for Huffington (link to posting here) that I thought you might find interesting

The Huffington PostCanada Continue reading

Branding Rooibos Tea – Trademark or Geographic Indication?

 shutterstock_95081200  I came across this really interesting article this morning which touches on the intersection of trademarks and geographic indications.

As set out in this really well-written article, battles have been a brewin over protection of the name “rooibos”. Continue reading

Best Read Before Dinner

Dear Readers:  I am DELIGHTED to introduce for the Law of Food’s first ever guest blogger:  Patrick Dyke!   Patrick is an articling student at Gilbert’s LLP and is a true regulatory geek at heart, which is why I know you’ll love reading his blogs!  Enjoy.

We’ve all been there.  Staring at an item in the refrigerator, trying to remember when we bought it.  It has been hiding in the back of the fridge for a while, and we’re wondering…is it still good?

If you’re like me you probably rely on any number of tests before making a decision: Smell test? Check.  Does it look “off”? Nope.  But what about that pesky best before date? Continue reading

What I Learned about the Business of Food Safety

As many of you readers know, earlier this month I attended the FDLIs Food Week (my blog on the conference is here).  During the conference, I was honoured to moderate the panel on the Business of Food Safety. Continue reading

Getting My Regulatory Geek On – What I Learned at Food Week

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the  FDLI’s Food Week 2013.  I attended two days of the four day conference – the Food Advertising, Labelling and Nutrition day (on Wednesday) and the Food Safety day (on Thursday).  I learned a lot, and met some interesting people with great regulatory practices. Continue reading

The Government’s Policing of Food Advertisements and Labels – the US and Canada

Happy Tuesday!  Thought you might be interested in an article containing some of my thoughts on the Federal Trade Commission’s  policing of food advertising (i.e. POM Wonderful case) and what’s happening in Canada - http://www.advocatedaily.com/2013/02/competitive-industry-may-place-pressure-on-bureau/

In case you don’t feel like clicking away from this site, here’s the text of the article. Enjoy!

Competitive industry may place pressure on bureau Continue reading

Me, me, me! (shameless self promotion at its finest!)

Hi readers.   Since this is my blog, I’m taking the opportunity shamelessly self promote myself.

Here’s a link to me, talking about the two new proposed rules under FSMA - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlSPy6yrRfE&feature=player_embedded

And, here’s a link to a webinar I did earlier today on the branding of foods and beverages - http://www.anymeeting.com/gilbertsllp/ED50DB86884B Continue reading

Assessing the Impact of the Proposed (FSMA) Rules

Check it – I (along with some other super smart people) was interviewed for, and quoted in, this fantastic article which appeared in today’s edition of International Trade Today by Broker Power  - www.brokerpower.com.  The article looks at the impact of the two Proposed Rules (under FSMA) on importing and exporting facilities.

New FDA Food Safety Rules Could Close Doors for Small Businesses and Developing Countries (Reprinted with permission of Warren Communications News) Continue reading

Exciting Innovation through Combining Food and Beauty

I stumbled across a really interesting interview on the Supply Side Cosmetics Insights website regarding the partnership between Skin Authority and the Dole Nutrition Institute. 

The CEO of Skin Authority, Celeste Hilling spoke to Supply Side Cosmetics Insights about the partnership.  You can read the entire interview here. Continue reading