Attorney Alert: Food Safety Subject of CLE Teleconference

Source of Article: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Attorney-Alert-Food-Safety-Subject/story.aspx?guid=%7BFEEFE5E9-428B-4118-993D-61AD0FC24112%7D

Last update: 10:28 a.m. EST Nov. 3, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, Nov 03, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Attorneys representing clients with a stake in the food industry will benefit from a continuing legal education teleconference scheduled for Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. Based on the number of individuals affected, the geographic reach of the problem and recent developments in the courtroom, food-related health and liability risks are bigger than ever.

The numbers are staggering. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention estimate that 76 million Americans are sickened and 325,000 are hospitalized each year due to food-borne illnesses. E. coli alone causes 73,000 illnesses a year.

The impact is global. The World Health Organization says food safety authorities internationally must build closer links given the "rapid globalization" of food production and trade that has dramatically increased the potential for international incidents. More than 54,000 children in China sought medical treatment after drinking infant formula contaminated with melamine. According to today's Wall Street Journal, more than 2,300 children remain hospitalized there. Several have died. The Food and Drug Administration in September said there is no known threat to baby formula in the U.S., but remains vigilant: on Oct. 10 it blocked several products from entering the country.

The business and legal risks are tremendous. Diacetyl is an artificial butter flavoring used in microwavable popcorn that is said to damage the lungs when vapors are inhaled. The additive has resulted in more than $100 million in payments to injured workers by flavoring manufacturers. Just last month, two consumers filed suit alleging bronchiolitis obliterans, commonly called "popcorn lung."

Attorneys who advise food companies, individuals who claim injuries, insurance companies that cover food companies, and regulatory agencies will want to take advantage of a 100-minute interactive briefing with two attorneys who specialize in representing domestic and international food manufacturers. Corey L. Gordon and Alyssa Rebensdorf of Blackwell Burke of Minneapolis will provide an update on federal state oversight and consumer suits involving diacetyl, discuss whether there is a rise in E. coli 0111 infections, and explain how melamine will affect U.S. imports of food products.

Titled "Food Safety Update: Diacetyl, E. coli & Melamine," this CLE-approved teleconference takes place Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. Participants will be able to interact with the speakers during live Q&A. The charge is $199 for unlimited listeners on a single line, plus $15 per listener to process CLE. Individual listeners pay just $99.

For more information and to register visit http://www.BVRLegal.com and click on "Teleconferences & Webinars," or contact Customer Service at 888-287-8258 or CustomerService@bvresources.com. Direct other inquiries to Tom Hagy at 610-312-4754 or tom.hagy@bvresources.com.

These events are produced by BVR Legal (formerly Mealey Conferences), a division of Business Valuation Resources LLC. BVR legal is an education and information company serving attorneys and business experts in complex legal disputes.

     Contact:

     Tom Hagy, Publisher

     BVR Legal

     610-312-4754

     tom.hagy@bvresources.com

SOURCE BVR Legal

 http://www.BVRLegal.com

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