Kathleen Sanzo, J.D. is Co-Chair of Morgan Lewis' life sciences industry team. She centers her practice on regulatory and compliance issues connected to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated products. She leads and counsels clients on all legal and regulatory issues concerning food, dietary supplements, and cosmetic product manufacture, approval, marketing, and distribution; food, drug, and device compliance and enforcement matters; and consumer product issues regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and state enforcement agencies, among other areas. A frequent author and co-author on publications related to FDA matters, Kathleen regularly speaks on these issues at industry events. She serves as Vice Chair of the Consumer Product Regulation Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, and is a member of the Food and Drug Law Institute's Medical Products Committee.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Kathy [32:33] about:
Why FDA chose a voluntary approach to phasing out synthetic food dyes, the implications of this approach, and industry's response
Why state-level food additive restrictions are outpacing federal action
How the emerging patchwork of state laws creates significant operational and legal challenges for food manufacturers nationwide
The expected supply chain impacts of phasing out synthetic dyes
The legal risks companies face, from state enforcement to labeling, false advertising claims, and product liability
How companies can prepare by monitoring legislation, securing dependable ingredient suppliers, updating labels, and planning consumer communication
How state actions on additives may influence consumer expectations, spur industry innovation, and shape food policy over the next decade.
Food Safety Matters