Civil Law

Legislators want the FDA to be able to test samples from feed lots during outbreaks

Two U.S. legislators have introduced a bill that would give the FDA the ability to collect microbial samples at feed lots during foodborne illness outbreaks.

Representative Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, and Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ, want the Food and Drug Administration to be able to investigate foodborne illness outbreaks, or when there is a public need, involving crops that are close to concentrated animal feeding operations (CFAOs). They say the investigative tool is also needed because of the spread of bird … Read the rest

Civil Law

Federal Court denies samples for testing infringement of biologic process patent

The Federal Court recently refused to order a defendant to produce samples of cell culture because there was no “reasonable possibility” that testing the samples would yield evidence of patent infringement.  In pharmaceutical patent cases, testing samples of a defendant’s product – or samples from a defendant’s process – can lead to crucial evidence of infringement for trial. However, as seen in the Court’s recent decision, a defendant can resist producing samples where the plaintiff only proposes “speculative undefined tests”.   … Read the rest

Civil Law

Producers warned of potential strike impact on Salmonella samples

Egg and poultry meat producers in England have been told to prepare for disruption to sampling deliveries because of strike action.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) said producers need to take appropriate contingency measures to ensure that time-sensitive Salmonella samples reach their destination on time.

Members of the Communication Workers Union who collect, sort, and deliver parcels and mail plan to strike on Aug. 26 and 31 and Sept. 8 and 9. Royal Mail has warned of potential disruption to … Read the rest