Civil Law

FDA announces new strategy to prevent contamination of fresh and frozen berries

The FDA has developed a new strategy to prevent the contamination of fresh and frozen berries with viruses such as hepatitis A and norovirus.

“Collaboration between regulators, the global berry industry, and other interest holders has been critical for the development of this strategy. We look forward to ongoing collaboration to ensure the success of this strategy, and others, for the prevention of foodborne illness,” said Conrad Choiniere, director of the Office of Microbiological Food Safety at the FDA’s Human … Read the rest

Civil Law

Red dye No. 3 now banned; consumer groups applaud FDA’s action

The Food and Drug Administration this week banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in foods, meeting requirements of the 1960 Delaney Clause of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

The action comes after years of public requests for the FDA to take action against harmful chemicals added to foods. In 1990 the agency banned the use of Red No. 3 in cosmetics, but had not taken similar action for foods and drugs until this week.

“The FDA is amending … Read the rest

Civil Law

Hong Kong investigates flight-related food poisoning cases

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) in Hong Kong is investigating reports of food poisoning involving passengers on flights from Nepal.

A total of 36 people have fallen ill on two Cathay Pacific flights from Kathmandu to Hong Kong.

The first cluster of patients developed food poisoning symptoms, including vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and fever, about 10 to 30 minutes after having meals served on a flight on Jan. 8.

After speaking with people on an exchange trip to Nepal, … Read the rest

Civil Law

低空经济系列：飞行汽车法律问题初探

作者：赵新华 卢怿洵

低空经济是以低空飞行活动为核心，以无人驾驶飞行、低空智联网等技术组成的新质生产力与空域、市场等要素相互作用，带动低空基础设施、低空飞行器制造、低空运营服务和低空飞行保障等领域发展的综合性经济形态。

2024年被称为低空经济“元年”。继2023年12月举行的中央经济工作会议将低空经济列为战略性新兴产业以来，国务院于2024年3月正式将“积极打造生物制造、商业航天、低空经济等新增长引擎”写入政府工作报告。地方层面上，目前我国已有近30多个省份将发展低空经济写入地方政府工作报告或出台相关政策，争相布局低空经济。

阅读更多

LexBlog… Read the rest

Civil Law

When Would Google Say Your Startup Law Firm Needs a Blog?

Does your startup law firm need a blog? 

According to Google’s experts, not necessarily, but in some cases a blog is a plus. 

In a Search Engine Roundtable article by Barry Schwartz, insights from John Mueller, Google’s Search Advocate, and Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liaison, were highlighted to explore when blogging makes sense for start up businesses.

Mueller previously explained that blogging isn’t essential for SEO, but it can be impactful when done right:

Make a blog when you are

… Read the rest
Civil Law

Are Restaurants, Bars and Other Businesses Entitled to Insurance Coverage for Covid/Pandemic Shutdowns?

Like many lawyers with expertise in insurance coverage, I was immediately contacted after the pandemic hit by business owners – often restaurant and bar owners – about seeking business interruption coverage under their insurance policies. My usual conclusion was that you could at least submit a claim and see what happens, but that, unless you had particularly deep pockets and/or large losses, I didn’t suggest bringing suit. My advice was based on two points: first, that recovering insurance benefits under … Read the rest

Civil Law

Minimum Wage Goes Up January 1, 2025

It’s the end of the year.

Which means, for the foreseeable future, employers need to be mindful of the automatic increase to the state’s minimum wage which goes into effect on January 1, 2025.

Currently, the rate is $ 15.69. However, it goes up to $ 16.35 on Wednesday.

Why?

Connecticut’s minimum wage law, which connects the state minimum wage to changes in the federal employment cost index (ECI), was originally passed in 2019 when inflation wasn’t of major concern.… Read the rest