The closing session of the 2023 Food Safety Summit, which took place on Thursday afternoon, featured a panel discussion among prominent attorneys who work on behalf of consumers and industry—with all advocating on the side of food safety. The internationally recognized, expert lawyers discussed the common gaps and weaknesses they see in company operations, culture, and regulatory adherence that lead to adverse events, such as foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls.
Panelists included William (Bill) Marler, Managing Partner at Marler Clark: The Food Safety Law Firm; Shawn Stevens, Founder of Food Industry Counsel LLC; Sharon Lindan Mayl, Partner at DLA Piper and former Senior Advisor for Policy to the Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Matthew Lash, Assistant Director of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Consumer Protection Branch; and Maile Gradison, Partner at Hogan Lovells. The session was moderated by Adrienne Blume, Editorial Director of Food Safety Magazine.