Author:

Amanda Scott

FDA’s Role in Food Chemical Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) protects people from exposure to adverse chemicals in food through the implementation of rigorous regulations. The FDA can do so through the close evaluation of the use of chemicals as food ingredients and the substances that come into contact with food, as well as the broad monitoring of the food supply for chemical contaminants.  This can include the food packaging process, storage process, and other handling measures.

Infant Formula Shortage: How has the FDA Altered Regulations to Help?

Over the past year, the nation has been concerned over an infant formula shortage that has become a crisis for many families in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for offering support and relief to families affected by this shortage in any way they can. Accordingly, the FDA loosened infant formula regulations. Specifically, the FDA allowed for an increased supply of infant formula by the announcement to infant formula manufacturers of the agency’s intention to temporarily exercise enforcement discretion. Enforcement was on a case-by-case basis, for specific infant formula requirements. This went into effect from May 16, 2022, through November 14, 2022, and was specifically designed to protect infants’ health. Essentially, selective enforcement would allow the FDA to grant permission for formulas despite not meeting all the regulations.

Clean Trucks Plan: How Reducing Emissions Impacts the Nation’s Commercial Vehicles

The EPA is expected to introduce tougher heavy duty emissions rules in 2023 as part of the Clean Trucks Plan with the intent to inhibit a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The quicker these changes in the greenhouse gas rules are made, the better for the environment and the future of the efficiency of transportation. The application of these regulations will lead to more efficient transmissions across the country as it impacts a large variety of important vehicles.

How the Inflation Act of 2022 has Impacted the Pharmaceutical Industry

Prescription drug price increases have long been a detriment to Americans. The Inflation Reduction Act (the Act) is in part designed to assist in this corporate pharmaceutical problem. This Act plans to do this through the implementation of seven major prescription drug provisions. Two of the major ones are requiring negotiations for certain drug prices by the federal government and limiting the monthly cost-sharing for insulin to $35. Through these changes along with various others, advocates hope that the burden will be lifted off Medicare beneficiaries. It has also been estimated that the Act will work to reduce the federal deficit by $237 billion over 10 years (2022-2031).

Chicago Aims to Abolish Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment in the workplace is prohibited in Chicago. To further instill this message, in April 2022, Mayor Lightfoot and the Commission on Human Relations amended the sexual harassment laws (Human Rights Ordinance) to provide sharpened tools to employers and employees for preventing sexual harassment. These amendments strengthened the existing laws in strictly enforcing zero tolerance of violence and harassment in the workplace through written employment policies, posters, and training. Starting July 1, 2022, strict compliance with these amendments became the standard throughout Chicago.

Imperative Progress in Your Data Privacy and Protection

Amanda Scott Associate Editor Loyola University Chicago School of Law, JD 2024 In June 2022, a draft of a bipartisan bicameral bill known as the American Data Privacy and Protection Act was introduced. This bill was proposed as a replacement to current laws to further protect and strengthen federal data privacy and protection regulations. This …
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