The U.S. Senate has approved a bill (S. 216) designed to “strengthen criminal
penalties for companies that knowingly violate food safety standards and
place tainted food products on the market,” according to the legislation’s
sponsor, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). The proposal would increase offenses
from a misdemeanor to a felony, establish fines and give law enforcement the
ability to seek prison sentences of up to 10 years. See Press Release of Senator
Patrick Leahy, April 15, 2011.

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For decades, manufacturers, distributors and retailers at every link in the food chain have come to Shook, Hardy & Bacon to partner with a legal team that understands the issues they face in today's evolving food production industry. Shook attorneys work with some of the world's largest food, beverage and agribusiness companies to establish preventative measures, conduct internal audits, develop public relations strategies, and advance tort reform initiatives.

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