Webinar to Cover Obama Administration and New Democratic Congress Impact on Food Industry

Join the Food Institute and Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC for a webinar that will discuss the federal legislative and regulatory landscape for 2009 as it relates to the food industry.

With a Democratic White House, and a substantial Democratic majority in both the House and Senate, expectations are that there will be considerable legislative activity and tighter, more complex regulations facing food executives beginning in 2009. The webinar will look ahead to President Obama’s priorities at USDA, HHS and FDA and the policies of those who have been nominated for these key positions. It will also focus on the new chairs of the relevant authorizing and appropriations committees in the Congress. Who are these new policy makers? What issues do they care about? There will be a Q&A session at the conclusion to tackle any questions attendees might have.

Major food safety legislation will be introduced in the 111th Congress, and passage is likely. Legislative proposals currently being considered include:

• Creation of a single food safety agency (combining the food safety functions of FDA, USDA, etc.).
• Mandatory recall authority and other new enforcement powers.
• New industry fees to fund the government's expanded food safety role.
• Additional traceback requirements.
• Besides food safety, other legislation we are likely to see in 2009 include USDA reorganization, nutrition labeling for restaurant menus, and child nutrition reauthorization.

Speakers are:

• Charles Stenholm, former U.S. Congressman
• Marshall L. Matz, Democratic expert on food and nutrition
• Rick Frank, founder of OFW and former chairman of the Food Institute
• Bob Hahn, food industry legislative/regulatory expert

The webinar takes place Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2-3 p.m. Eastern. For more information or to register, visit www.foodinstitute.com.

The webinar costs $149; Food Institute members can register for $134.