On July 5, 2011, regulators from the world’s food safety regulatory agencies gathered at the Codex Summit in Geneva, Switzerland to vote on food labeling guidance for genetically modified foods. Genetically modified foods (“GM foods”), food products derived from organisms whose genetic makeup have been altered through genetic engineering, have been on the international market since the early 1990s. This annual summit was organized by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a body created in 1963 by the Food Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization to develop international food standards, guidelines, and related texts. Representatives from over 100 countries attended the Summit and approved GM food labeling guidance, which allows countries to label genetically modified foods without risking violation of international free trade laws.
On June 29, 2011, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it had reached a settlement with General Reinsurance Corporation (“General”) over alleged violations of the Iranian Transaction Regulations (“ITR”). The alleged violations of the IRT highlight the broad reach and complexity of the sanctions on trade with Iran. General information regarding economic sanctions against Iran can be found at OFAC’s website here.
https://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svg00admin_fidjhttps://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svgadmin_fidj2011-07-12 10:27:302025-12-09 14:54:47General Reinsurance Corp. Settles With OFAC Over Alleged Violations of Iranian Transactions Regulations
On May 6, 2011, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, joined by nine other members of the U.S. House of Representatives, sent a letter to the FDA expressing concerns over the use of keratin hair-straightening products which contain high levels formaldehyde. Excess exposure to formaldehyde, a chemical classified by the EPA as a probable carcinogen, can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs, and can cause breathing problems. Additionally, exposure has been linked to nose and throat cancer and leukemia. A copy of the Congresswoman’s letter can be read here.
https://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svg00admin_fidjhttps://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svgadmin_fidj2011-07-11 12:54:512025-12-09 14:54:37Formaldehyde Containing Hair Straighteners Come Under Scrutiny, FDA Urged to Take Action
Researchers in Hong Kong reported discovery of a type of “super cancer stem cells” last week. These stem cells are embedded in liver cancers and are resistant to chemotherapy allowing them to spread to other body parts even after they are surgically removed. The discovery was published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.
https://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svg00admin_fidjhttps://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svgadmin_fidj2011-07-11 11:14:282025-12-09 14:54:19Researchers in Hong Kong Report “Super Cancer Stem Cells” Discovery
On June 24, 2011, supplemental briefs were filed by both sides in Sherley v. Seleblius, the landmark lawsuit challenging the legality of government funding for research of human embryonic stem cells (hESC). The supplemental briefs, filed with Chief Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, may be the parties’ final arguments.
On April 28, 2011, the Australian government proposed legislation that will ban tobacco company logos, colors, imagery, or promotional text on cigarette packaging beginning in 2012. Anti-smoking advocates say plain, […]
https://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svg00admin_fidjhttps://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svgadmin_fidj2011-07-11 10:47:012026-01-06 09:40:07Brand-less Cigarette Labels in Australia
On June 24, 2011, United States Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Charlie Dent (R-PA) introduced the bipartisan Stem Cell Research Advancement Act of 2011 (the “Bill”). The Bill would give legislative backing to President Obama’s 2009 Executive Order allowing federal funding for medical research using discarded embryos from fertility clinics. Critics of the Bill argue, based on religious and moral grounds, that the research destroys viable embryos to harvest the stem cells. However, Representative Dent stressed that the Bill establishes important ethical criteria for stem cell research.
https://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svg00admin_fidjhttps://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svgadmin_fidj2011-07-11 10:37:532026-01-06 09:18:50Bipartisan Support for Embryonic Stem Cell Legislation
On July 5, 2011, seven large pharmaceutical manufacturers filed a citizen petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking the Commissioner to “clarify FDA regulations and policies with […]
https://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svg00admin_fidjhttps://fidjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FIDJ-Logo-Hero.svgadmin_fidj2011-07-11 10:30:072025-12-09 14:40:42Seven Major Pharmaceutical Companies File Citizen Petition Seeking FDA Guidelines Regarding Off-Label Information
The IRS recently released final regulations reducing the filing extension from six months to five months for certain pass-through entities, including most partnerships, estates, and trusts.
On June 24, 2011, three members of the House of Representatives announced their support of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 (the “Act”), which calls for stricter FDA oversight of cosmetic products. The Act is similar to a previous bill proposed in 2010 but has been modified in response to concerns from small businesses. The main proponents of this proposed legislation are Representatives Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.
Labeling Guidance Of Genetically Modified Food Gains Approval
On July 5, 2011, regulators from the world’s food safety regulatory agencies gathered at the Codex Summit in Geneva, Switzerland to vote on food labeling guidance for genetically modified foods. Genetically modified foods (“GM foods”), food products derived from organisms whose genetic makeup have been altered through genetic engineering, have been on the international market since the early 1990s. This annual summit was organized by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a body created in 1963 by the Food Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization to develop international food standards, guidelines, and related texts. Representatives from over 100 countries attended the Summit and approved GM food labeling guidance, which allows countries to label genetically modified foods without risking violation of international free trade laws.
General Reinsurance Corp. Settles With OFAC Over Alleged Violations of Iranian Transactions Regulations
On June 29, 2011, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it had reached a settlement with General Reinsurance Corporation (“General”) over alleged violations of the Iranian Transaction Regulations (“ITR”). The alleged violations of the IRT highlight the broad reach and complexity of the sanctions on trade with Iran. General information regarding economic sanctions against Iran can be found at OFAC’s website here.
Formaldehyde Containing Hair Straighteners Come Under Scrutiny, FDA Urged to Take Action
On May 6, 2011, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, joined by nine other members of the U.S. House of Representatives, sent a letter to the FDA expressing concerns over the use of keratin hair-straightening products which contain high levels formaldehyde. Excess exposure to formaldehyde, a chemical classified by the EPA as a probable carcinogen, can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs, and can cause breathing problems. Additionally, exposure has been linked to nose and throat cancer and leukemia. A copy of the Congresswoman’s letter can be read here.
Researchers in Hong Kong Report “Super Cancer Stem Cells” Discovery
Researchers in Hong Kong reported discovery of a type of “super cancer stem cells” last week. These stem cells are embedded in liver cancers and are resistant to chemotherapy allowing them to spread to other body parts even after they are surgically removed. The discovery was published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.
Sherley v. Sebelius: Briefs Argue Whether Federal Funds Incentivize Embryo Destruction
On June 24, 2011, supplemental briefs were filed by both sides in Sherley v. Seleblius, the landmark lawsuit challenging the legality of government funding for research of human embryonic stem cells (hESC). The supplemental briefs, filed with Chief Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, may be the parties’ final arguments.
Brand-less Cigarette Labels in Australia
On April 28, 2011, the Australian government proposed legislation that will ban tobacco company logos, colors, imagery, or promotional text on cigarette packaging beginning in 2012. Anti-smoking advocates say plain, […]
Bipartisan Support for Embryonic Stem Cell Legislation
On June 24, 2011, United States Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Charlie Dent (R-PA) introduced the bipartisan Stem Cell Research Advancement Act of 2011 (the “Bill”). The Bill would give legislative backing to President Obama’s 2009 Executive Order allowing federal funding for medical research using discarded embryos from fertility clinics. Critics of the Bill argue, based on religious and moral grounds, that the research destroys viable embryos to harvest the stem cells. However, Representative Dent stressed that the Bill establishes important ethical criteria for stem cell research.
Seven Major Pharmaceutical Companies File Citizen Petition Seeking FDA Guidelines Regarding Off-Label Information
On July 5, 2011, seven large pharmaceutical manufacturers filed a citizen petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking the Commissioner to “clarify FDA regulations and policies with […]
IRS Sets Partnership, Estate and Trust Filing Extension at 5 Months
The IRS recently released final regulations reducing the filing extension from six months to five months for certain pass-through entities, including most partnerships, estates, and trusts.
House Representatives Propose New Safe Cosmetics Act
On June 24, 2011, three members of the House of Representatives announced their support of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 (the “Act”), which calls for stricter FDA oversight of cosmetic products. The Act is similar to a previous bill proposed in 2010 but has been modified in response to concerns from small businesses. The main proponents of this proposed legislation are Representatives Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.