Sarah Brew Discusses the FDA’s Temporary Ease on Food-Labeling Rules During COVID-19 Crisis

Food and agribusiness partner Sarah Brew was quoted by Law360 in the article “FDA Relaxes Food-Labeling Rules During COVID-19 Crisis.” The industry publication cited a recent move by the FDA to temporarily ease its policies on nutrition and menu labeling to help calm consumer fears about product shortages, keep restaurants in business and avoid food waste during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The FDA has done an amazing job of being flexible and accommodating consumer and food industry needs as a result of the COVID-19 crisis," Brew said. "Right now, there's a shortage in the supply chain on the retail side for consumer use in grocery stores, and on the food service side there's an excess of supply in restaurants, hotels, casinos and airports."

She added that the temporary labeling rules won't become permanent because they were not subject to formal rulemaking, which includes a notice and comment period for industry and consumers to contribute their thoughts.