August 4, 2016

Criminal & Civil Liability Foodborne Illness Workshop to be Held at 91st Annual Meeting

We asked. You responded. And we heard you. In May, our Annual Meeting Survey asked members to help us identify possible workshop topics for this November’s meeting. Top on the list: Civil and Criminal Liability for Food Safety Issues.

Food safety events around the country over the past decade, both in the fresh produce and the processed food sectors, have resulted in highly-publicized civil and criminal liability cases against companies and industry executives. The cases have instilled a growing sense of concern in the industry, particularly in the fresh produce sector where production processes lack a ‘kill’ step for foodborne contaminants.

The workshop, titled “Foodborne Illness: Criminal & Civil Liability,” features three of the nation’s top experts in the field who will discuss the risks and defenses associated with food safety processes and foodborne illness events, in addition to exploring legal concepts such as “strict liability” in criminal and civil cases. Panelists will also discuss indemnity agreements and the federal government’s criminal prosecution philosophy, among other topics.     

Speakers (View each speaker’s full bio)

  • William Marler, Managing Partner, Marler Clark LLP, PS
    Widely recognized as the nation’s top personal injury lawyer and expert in foodborne illness litigation, Mr. Clark has represented thousands of litigants in some of the highest profile cases in the nation.
  • Sarah L. Brew, Partner, Faegre Baker Daniels
    Ms. Brew has a national reputation for effectively representing food processors, distributors and retailers in foodborne illness and contamination cases, commercial litigation and supply chain disputes, and consumer fraud labeling class actions.
  • Daniel G. Jarcho, Partner, Alston & Bird
    Mr. Jarcho has represented clients in numerous FDA-related civil actions for seizures, injunctions, and civil penalties and in a wide variety of criminal investigations initiated by FDA.

Western Growers’ Board member Stuart Woolf, president and CEO of Woolf Farming and Processing in Fresno, Calif., will moderate the workshop.        

For more information about the Annual Meeting or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Randy Hause at (949) 885-2265.

Register and book your spot at the 91st Annual Meeting NOW!