From FDA to USDA – the Alphabet Soup of Regulatory Agencies and How the Government Has Permitted Some Flexibility During the Pandemic

In this episode, host Kermit Nash, co-chair of Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr’s Food, Beverage and Agribusiness (FBA) Practice, speaks with fellow FBA Practice co-chair, Jonathan Havens, on the portfolios of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Jonathan also explains how both federal agencies have relaxed some rules for FBA companies during the pandemic and implemented some business-minded solutions. For example, the USDA has helped the agribusiness sector via the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, has worked to get financial relief directly to farmers, and has helped food banks and distribution networks cut through red tape to get food to the last mile. Also in this episode, Jonathan addresses some of the latest cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp regulatory developments.