Thayer Elizabeth Ellis

Food, Beverage & Personal Care Product Regulatory Counseling

Thayer represents clients in areas regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), as well as state regulatory agencies. She helps her clients to develop strategic approaches to evaluating and implementing corrective actions, reporting obligations, and regulatory compliance. Thayer has experience working with chemists and toxicologists to establish compliance of product components under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. She advises on the management of foodborne-illness outbreaks, accidental adulteration, misbranding and food allergen issues, including recalls and market withdrawals, inspections, warning letters and enforcement actions.

Thayer also advises on risk management related to California Prop 65 and AB1200 disclosures, state PFAS regulations, and cosmetics labeling and disclosure requirements.

Product Development, Marketing & Advertising

Thayer counsels on the development of products and integration of ingredients, including labeling, formula review, regulatory status and claims substantiation. She anticipates potential regulatory and litigation risks related to labeling, advertising, marketing, and social media materials and campaigns. She also collaborates with clients to evaluate claims (such as nutrient content, health, structure/function, environmental marketing, corporate social responsibility, efficacy, etc.), and to analyze and develop support and substantiation.

Prior Experience

Thayer has several years of international legal experience. While based in São Paulo, Brazil, Thayer aided multinational companies in bringing to market new food and drug products into the Brazilian market, including the preparation of clinical research programs and contracts.

Following law school, Thayer held a federal clerkship with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Administrative Law Judges and served as an attorney advisor with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of the Principal Legal Advisor.

Personal Interests

Outside the office, Thayer enjoys biking and fitness, international travel, and doing anything to make her kids laugh.