Food & Chemicals Unpacked

Green Claims Games: A Challenge to California's SB 343

Recyclable — or is it? California's SB 343 "Truth in Recycling Law" is facing a major constitutional challenge, and the implications for companies making sustainability claims are significant. Keller and Heckman Partners Sheila Millar [https://www.khlaw.com/people/sheila-millar] and Ro Sabnis [https://www.khlaw.com/people/rohit-sabnis] join our hosts to break down the legal theories behind the lawsuit, what the timeline means for companies facing a manufacturing deadline, and how this case fits into the growing patchwork of state sustainability labeling laws.

Back in the PPWR: Revisiting the EU Framework for Packaging Sustainability

You don't know how lucky you are! Keller and Heckman Partner Hazel O’Keeffe [https://www.khlaw.com/people/hazel-okeeffe] returns to the podcast to provide the latest updates on the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). With August 2026 compliance deadlines on the horizon, businesses across the supply chain are scrambling to get ready for the PPWR, but significant uncertainty remains. From PFAS restrictions and recycled content requirements to ambiguous definitions and the still awaited draft European Commission guidance/FAQ, the road to compliance is anything but straightforward under the PPWR. Tune in to hear how companies are preparing, the issues they are struggling with most, and what you need to be watching.

Year in Review: Fare Thee Well 2025

What a long, strange trip it’s been for the industry this last year. In this episode, hosts Mark and Katie take a high-level look at the regulatory shifts that have shaped food and packaging in the last year, from FDA leadership changes and evolving approaches to food additives, GRAS, and ultra-processed foods, to rising state-level action on EPR, PFAS, and color additives. We also cover major global developments, including the EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and key updates to China’s food contact standards. Join us as we take a Grateful look back on the milestones of a transformative year and what Weir looking out for on the horizon.

Packaging as a Consumer Product - When It's Not Just What's Inside That Counts

In this episode, Partner Sheila Millar [https://www.khlaw.com/people/sheila-millar], Counsel Antonia Stamenova-Dancheva [https://www.khlaw.com/people/antonia-stamenova-dancheva], and Associate Anushka Stein [https://www.khlaw.com/people/anushka-r-stein] join our hosts to break down the complex world of packaging regulations for consumer products. From identifying which types of packaging fall under federal scrutiny to preparing for major upcoming changes like CPSC eFiling in 2026, we dive into essentials for producers and importers. We explore the specific laws that govern safety, including the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), and analyze real-world recall examples involving physical hazards, lead limits, and child-resistant closures.

Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF): What Are We Even Talking About?

In this episode of Food & Chemicals Unpacked, we’re joined by Dave Fusaro, Editor in Chief of Food Processing [https://www.foodprocessing.com/] magazine, to unpack the growing debate over ultra-processed foods (UPFs). We discuss Mark Thompson's article, "Ultraprocessed Foods: What Are We Even Talking About? [https://www.khlaw.com/insights/ultraprocessed-foods-what-are-we-even-talking-about]" along with recent regulatory and legislative developments, including the FDA’s request for information on UPFs, state-level actions such as California’s AB 1264, and ongoing efforts to define what “ultra-processed” really means.