In today’s litigious environment, CPG employees can’t only focus on their core duties as developers, researchers, engineers, marketers, etc.— they must also maintain at least a basic awareness of food laws, regulations, intellectual property, trade secrets, and a variety of other legal issues in order to protect their company’s assets and consumers’ health.

Learn how to protect yourself and your company against the most common pitfalls surrounding labeling, intellectual property, and supply chain risks in the food industry.

Three industry experts will provide educational presentations and participate in a Q&A panel at the end to address everyone’s questions.

Join us on June 11 as three legal experts share their expertise on how to protect your company’s IP and financial assets from litigation.

• Caroline Hudson from Loeb and Loeb LLP as she shares guidance on labeling regulations, claim substantiation, and how to avoid false advertising class actions.
• Jim Fondriest, Lead Global Patent Counsel – Associate General Counsel at Kraft Heinz, will discuss the difference between trade secrets and patents and the importance of confidentiality.
• How can you limit your organization’s potential exposure to Glyphosate litigation? Shawn Gephardt, from Ulmer & Berne LLP, will share some history about glyphosate litigation and best practices for staying out of trouble and reducing your risk of a glyphosate class action lawsuit.

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This program qualifies for IFT Certified Food Scientist (CFS) recertification contact hours (CH). CFS Certificants may claim a maximum of 1.0 CH for their participation in this program.For more information, please visit ift.org/certification or email ifscc@ift.org.

Title: Labeling regulations, claim substantiation, and how to avoid false advertising class actions

Caroline Hudson, Loeb & Loeb LLP
Caroline is a seasoned veteran in counseling food and beverage clients on potential food labeling risks and pitfalls. Caroline leverages her knowledge of key legal considerations relevant to the food, beverage, and dietary supplements industries to provide guidance on labeling, claim substantiation questions, and other regulatory issues.

Caroline routinely advises clients in these industries on labeling regulations, claim substantiation, disclosures, and web/social media engagement. Her review of advertising and labeling materials includes guidance and consultation on regulatory requirements and false advertising class actions brought under various state consumer protection laws. She will address common risks and watch-outs to best protect your company.

Title: Intellectual Property, Confidentiality, and Working with Third Parties

Jim Fondriest, Kraft Heinz Company
Jim, Lead Global Patent Counsel – Associate General Counsel at Kraft Heinz, will discuss the difference between trade secrets and patents, the importance of confidentiality to both, and the risks/watch-outs related to protecting trade secrets and patents while working with third parties.

Title: Glyphosate Litigation: Where It’s Been, Where It’s Heading, and What It Means for Your Supply Chain

Shawn Gebhardt, Ulmer & Berne LLP
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide and competing products, is the most widely used herbicide in the world. But in recent years, consumer class action lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers of oatmeal and granola products, bagels and bread products, honey, and pet foods, all on the theory that these products contain undisclosed glyphosate residues that contradict the manufacturers’ label claims.

Accordingly, food and beverage manufacturers and retailers must be proactive in developing strategies to limit their exposure to these sorts of suits. In this presentation, we’ll discuss some potential best practices for staying out of trouble in that regard.