Former industry veteran with PhD in chemistry advises on food, drug and dietary supplement regulation
WASHINGTON, DC (October 3, 2012) – Adding another prominent member to its leading team of food and drug lawyers, Venable LLP has announced that established food industry attorney John Moore has joined the firm as Of Counsel in its Washington office.
Dr. Moore, who holds a PhD in Chemistry, arrives from Hunton & Williams. Prior to his legal career, he worked for Baskin Robins overseeing production for the company’s extensive ice cream line and also for yogurt maker YoFarm as a food technologist.
Mr. Moore’s practice focuses on the full spectrum of federal and state food and drug regulations, covering packaged foods, food additives, food contact substances, dietary supplements, alcoholic beverages, biologics, as well as consumable products of biotechnology.
Among areas in which Dr. Moore has been particularly active include advising on the regulatory approval of new food products and dietary supplements, as well as alcoholic beverages; representing clients in FDA filings on food additive petitions and GRAS notifications (“generally recognized as safe”); advising on the regulation of genetically modified crops and pesticides; counseling on the use of plastics, paper and other packaging materials, equipment and housewares in contact with food. He has also counseled clients specializing in pet food and animal feeds.
Venable boasts one of the nation’s elite food and drug groups, representing many top pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, along with major supplement producers and dominant food, drug and cosmetic marketers. The firm’s attorneys work on substantial FDA, USDA, and FTC regulatory matters, as well as investigations, prosecutions and enforcement actions. The group includes a number of senior level former government regulators, such as Ralph Tyler, former Chief Counsel of the FDA; and David Adams, the former associate chief counsel for drugs at the FDA.
The firm’s FDA group is complemented by one of the nation’s preeminent advertising law practices, which advises a host of food and dietary supplement producers and the companies that market them.
“As a former industry executive with an understanding of food science and manufacturing, John brings a unique perspective to our group. He has a frontline view of the challenges that food manufacturers and dietary supplement companies face in navigating a complex regulatory environment, as well as an in-depth grasp of the scientific issues that underpin regulators’ decisions,” said Todd Harrison, chair of Venable’s Food and Drug Practice. “We’re certain that John will play an integral role to the practice and be a sought-after resource for our clients.”
Among some of the matters that Dr. Moore has advised industry clients:
- Regulation of genetically modified crops
- Potential food adulteration issues involving lead, mercury, pesticides and other contaminants
- New dietary ingredient notification requirements and exemptions for dietary supplements
- Regulatory aspects of medical foods, infant formula and foods for special dietary use
- Implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
- Food labeling requirements, including those under the Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act
- Regulatory impact of animal diseases, including mad cow, avian flu and foodborne pathogens
- Product recalls and market withdrawals
- Enforcement actions by the FDA, USDA and various state authorities
“Venable has one of the most respected food and dietary supplements practices in the country, particularly when combined with its powerhouse advertising and marketing law platform,” Dr. Moore said. “The regulatory environment continues to pose new challenges for food and beverage manufacturers, but also retailers, distributors and marketers. I am looking forward to adding my skills as a scientist and lawyer to the group and hope to make an impact for the firm’s clients throughout the industry.”
Dr. Moore received his JD from the University of South Carolina, his PhD in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina and his BS from the University of Delaware. He is a member of the Food and Drug Law Institute, the Institute of Food Technologists and the American Chemical Society.
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