Tiny Print Makes a Big Difference: Label Claims on Packaging & Menus

Whether buying packaged foods or selecting an entree from a menu, the packaging components – the wording and graphic display – helps compel the emotional and logical reasons for purchases. Packaging creates a perception of difference in the mind of consumers, thus influencing their purchasing behaviors.

Consumers can find calories and other pertinent nutritional information on the label of many packaged foods and beverages they buy in stores, but this type of information is not usually available on restaurant menus, nor is it printed on some food purchased from vending machines and self-serve food venues. The Food and Drug Administration is charged with controlling food safety, and supervises the implementation and the enforcement of various existing regulations to protect and guide the consumers.

Lawmakers characteristically use language to craft the law. Join attorney Patrick Wartan, chair of Taft’s Food and Beverage group, to learn about the language needed to ensure your food industry product meets FDA regulation requirements and satisfies customer inquiries.

About the Speaker

Patrick Wartan is chair of Taft’s Food and Beverage group. He has extensive experience counseling food and beverage clients on matters relating to product licensing, manufacturing and distribution agreements, labeling compliance, liquor licensing, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and general corporate governance in jurisdictions from coast to coast. With a background in the foodservice industry, he works with his clients to foster their growth by strategically overseeing all aspects of their operations to ensure that they are on a path to success. Patrick is an adjunct professor at Kendall College and teaches a course on Hospitality Law. He serves on the advisory council of the Illinois Restaurant Association. Patrick also serves as outside general counsel to businesses of all sizes. He advises and represents a wide variety of businesses in a full range of legal matters, including business formation, funding, acquisitions, business transactions, employment concerns, contract disputes, commercial litigation and negotiations. Patrick is an adjunct professor of law at Chicago-Kent College of Law and teaches a legal writing course. Patrick was selected for inclusion in Illinois Rising Stars in 2016 and 2017. He was elected to serve on the General Assembly of the Illinois State Bar Association and is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, State Bar of California and American Bar Association.