Agricultural Exceptionalism, Environmental Injustice, and U.S. Right To Farm LawsBy Danielle Diamond, Loka Ashwood, Allen Franco, Lindsay Kuehn, Aimee Imlay, & Crystal BoutwellFood Law, April 2026While the environmental justice movement has gained traction in the United States, the relationship between agri-food systems and environmental injustices in rural areas has yet to come into focus. United States agricultural exceptionalism and rural environmental justice can be examined through right-to-farm laws, demonstrating the justification for these statutes transfers power from rural communities to industrial agriculture by safeguarding agribusiness interests and certain types of production from lawsuits and liability.
Don’t Taste Your Hands: How Not To Invent a Blockbuster Sweetener Like Constantin FahlbergBy Adam SussmanFood Law, April 2026Saccharin is used to sweeten drinks, candies, baked goods, tobacco products, excipients, and as a masking agent in medicines. Since saccharin’s discovery by Fahlberg as the first artificial sweetener, additional sweeteners have been developed including aspartame, steviol glycoside, and sucralose.
U.S. FDA & USDA Food Regulation UpdatesBy Sandhya SashikumarFood Law, April 2026Regulatory changes from the FDA and USDA are reshaping how products are formulated, labeled, and marketed. Leveraging regulatory compliance software can help brands monitor and adapt to new food safety rules efficiently, avoiding costly recalls and protecting consumer trust.
Victory! Federal Court Orders Terminated USDA Farmer and Community Grants To Be ReinstatedFood Law, April 2026Major win: A preliminary injunction was granted in a lawsuit against the USDA, requiring the agency to restore wrongfully terminated grants and funding that support tree planning, growing food in underserved communities, training new farmers, and helping farmers adopt climate-friendly practices.
Farmers in New York Fight To Protect Soil as Solar ExpandsBy Jake ZajkowskiFood Law, February 2026Solar energy is often touted by environmentalists as a valuable tool in aiming for a greener future; however, farmers may experience significant negative impacts from the rapid expansion of solar energy. But for every farmer wary of panels, there’s another who sees them as a lifeline. And it is in that divide between farmer against farmer that solar energy has exposed agriculture’s fiercest new conflict: the battle within.
Importing Food Products Into the United StatesFood Law, February 2026Under provisions of the U.S. law contained in the U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, importers of food products intended for introduction into U.S. interstate commerce are responsible for ensuring that the products are safe, sanitary, and labeled according to U.S. requirements. Imported food products are subject to FDA inspection when offered for import at U.S. ports of entry.
Three 2026 Predictions for Food and Beverage Products From MintelBy Andy HanacekFood Law, February 2026Learn more about the predicted 2026 food trends that are expected to dominate the food industry this year: maxxing out and diversity in; retro rejuvenation; and intentionally sensory. Jenny Zegler, director of Food and Drink for Mintel, joins the podcast this time around to dig into the details of three predictions that Mintel has made for 2026 for the food and beverage industry.
Viewpoint: How Close Are We To Seeing “Influencers” Use AI To Fake AG Images?By Amanda ZaluckyjFood Law, February 2026With the progressive rise of AI, we’re starting to see the downside of artificial intelligence, and not just from pranks gone too far. We’ll soon be living in a world where the truth is even more convoluted, and we won’t be able to believe what we see with our eyes. Does our society have the critical thinking skills necessary to handle that?
Join Us at the ISBA & IJA Midyear Meeting—a Taste of What’s AheadBy Ted M. NiemannFood Law, December 2025The Joint Midyear Meeting, hosted by the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association, is a can't-miss event, offering CLE programs on democracy preservation and the ethical use of AI; a Member Appreciation Reception featuring Glow Bingo and prizes; the Illinois Bar Foundation for the Champions Breakfast; the IJA/ISBA Joint Midyear Meeting Luncheon; and a Holiday Reception honoring the Supreme Court of Illinois. Register today!
Marcus Urann—From Lawyer to “Mr. Cranberry,” Founder of Ocean SprayBy Adam SussmanFood Law, December 2025Commencing in 1912, Mr. Urann transformed the cranberry market through innovation and entrepreneurship, creating a lasting business model that persists today in the popular brand Ocean Spray.
Patents and Trade Secrets in Food LawBy Adam SussmanFood Law, December 2025Ever been curious how Coca-Cola has persevered as a prominent brand for over 100 years? By understanding how trade secrets and patents serve competing interests and public policies, a company can optimize its intellectual property strategy and achieve an enforceable right to exclude while maintaining confidentiality of the details of its trade secret.
Voila! The Pop-Up Timer for Turkeys Saved the DayBy Adam SussmanIntellectual Property, December 2025You can thank Eugene Beals for the meat thermometer you used this Thanksgiving to ensure your turkey is cooked to perfection.
The Flinn ReportBy Elaine SpencerFood Law, October 2025The Department of Public Health has proposed various amendments to the Manufacturing, Processing, Packing or Holding of Food Code, relating to facilities, permits, and fees; and the Departmen of Agriculture has also proposed various amendments to the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, regarding plant monitoring systems and fees.
Jessica Culpepper: The Problem of Agricultural ExceptionalismBy Christine GrilloFood Law, October 2025The concept of "agricultural exceptionalism" could potentially stunt lasting policy change in the agriculture and farming industries. Jessica Culpepper, Executive Director of FarmSTAND, shares her insights into the issues facing reform.
New Law Will Open Markets and Processing Options for Illinois FarmersBy Liz Moran StelkFood Law, October 2025House Bill 2196 removes unnecessary barriers that have held back poultry producers, including increases in the number of birds processed per year on-farm, selling directly at farmers markets, and removal of 30-day ownership rule for consumers to process poultry and livestock for personal, family, or cultural use.
Voila! The Pop-Up Timer for Turkeys Saved the DayBy Adam SussmanFood Law, October 2025You can thank Eugene Beals for the meat thermometer you will use this Thanksgiving to ensure your turkey is cooked to perfection.
‘Bloated, Expensive, Unsustainable’ USDA Reorganizing, Shrinking Its Washington PresenceBy Dave FusaroFood Law, September 2025Calling USDA “a bloated, expensive and unsustainable organization,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins last week announced a reorganization of the Dept. of Agriculture, including moving many employees and functions out of the Washington, D.C., area.
Editor’s Plate: Make FDA Great (And Authoritative) AgainBy Dave FusaroFood Law, September 2025President Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Marty Makary have taken their victory laps over the past two months as one food or beverage processor after another fell in line and agreed to remove petroleum-based colors. Now it's time for that holy trinity to return the favor and strong-arm the states into repealing laws that ban not just colors but, in some cases, 50 ingredients. Or pre-empt them.
The Time for Digitalization in Food & Beverage Is NowBy Andy HanacekFood Law, September 2025The food & beverage digital age is here, and for those processors who were waiting to see other processors swim successfully before jumping into the pool, now is the time to do more than just dip a toe in the shallow end.
Victory! Federal Court Orders Terminated USDA Farmer and Community Grants To Be ReinstatedFood Law, September 2025The United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order granting the restoration of six USDA grants for farmers and communities that support tree planting, growing food in underserved communities, training new farmers, and helping farmers adopt climate-friendly practices.
FDA To Revoke 52 Obsolete Standards of Identity for Food ProductsBy Dave FusaroFood Law, August 2025The FDA announced on July 16 that it is revoking or proposing to revoke 52 food standards of identity after concluding they are obsolete and unnecessary. The standards are for canned fruits and vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, macaroni products and other foods.
Tariff Mitigation Strategies: 20 Options for ManufacturersFood Law, August 2025Tariffs are truly “A Tale of Two Cities.” Some manufacturers are celebrating, thanks to higher domestic demand and an opportunity to sell unused capacity. For others, tariffs have significantly hurt business—resulting in painful price increases, inventory valuation challenges, stalled M&A, and reduced demand.
That’s a Food Job!Food Law, August 2025Learn about resources to explore different career opportunitites in the food industry, from podcast recommendations to a job board dedicated to food careers!
Urge Illinois Attorney General To Hold USDA AccountableFood Law, August 2025Review the Petition to Attorney General Kwame Raoul, asking for legal action against the Untied States Department of Agriculture for breaking its contract with the State of Illinois for the Local Food Purchase Assistance program, known as IL EATs.
257 Food and Ag Groups Demand Transparency and Representation in Future MAHA ReportsBy Dave FusaroFood Law, July 2025257 state and national associations with some relevance to food & beverage on June 17 sent a letter to Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asking transparency from and representation in the development of future Make America Healthy Again reports.
The Flinn ReportFood Law, July 2025The Flinn Report is a weekly summary of regulatory actions of State agencies published in the Illinois Register and action taken by the Illinois General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The Flinn Report honors founding JCAR member Representative Monroe Flinn, and is designed to inform and involve the public in changes taking place in agency administration.
