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Michael Best’s Agribusiness, Food &amp; Beverage practice represents more than 130 clients in every part of the industry. We serve clients at every link in the food production and distribution chain: growers, processors, makers, distributors, and retailers of food, feed products, and ingredients; as well as trade associations, equipment manufacturers, packagers, restaurant management companies, and other industry service providers. Our work involves M&amp;A, real estate, environmental and other regulatory compliance, food safety, recalls, labeling/claims, intellectual property, labor and employment, litigation, commodity contracting and logistics, and more. Legal Bites is a quarterly newsletter designed to keep our clients current on legal happenings affecting the industry.

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2026: The Year of the State Food Ingredient &amp; Additive Bans

As the legislative season ramps up in January across the country, food companies and ingredient suppliers need to be aware of a growing trend... <a href="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/2026-the-year-of-the-state-food-ingredient-additive-bans-102memv/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>

The dairy sector continues to impress with its innovation. As a kid growing up on a dairy farm in northern Wisconsin, I remember... <a href="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/whey-to-go-102memt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>

Here are some strategies to prepare for ultra-processed foods (UPF) lawsuits.

The proverbial "shoe has dropped" for companies in the food and beverage space. Lawsuits over UPFs are here. And although the first such lawsuit... <a href="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/here-are-some-strategies-to-prepare-for-ultra-processed-foods-upf-lawsuits-102me2h/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a><a href="https://insights.michaelbest.com/post/102kz2u/the-state-of-dairy-2025-momentum-through-turbulence"></a>

USDA's new "Product of USA" 24-hour evidence guidance is a lesson for all product manufacturers.

Guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has strengthened the requirements for producers making the claim “Product of USA.” ... <a href="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/usdas-new-product-of-usa-24-hour-evidence-guidance-is-a-lesson-for-all-product-102me2g/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>

New Year/New Label: "Made in USA" Food Labeling Rule in Effect

New year, new label. January 1, 2026, marked the compliance date of a USDA rule adopted in 2024 concerning the voluntary labeling of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)-regulated products carrying US-origin claims.  The rule approved the use of a voluntary label ("Product of USA" and “Made in the USA”) for... <a href="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/new-year-new-label-made-in-usa-food-labeling-rule-in-effect-102lzmw/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>

With states not waiting for federal legislation, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement is in chaos.

Whether intended or not, the national spotlight on MAHA has emboldened states to assert their authority to implement their own food and beverage regulations, creating a patchwork of differing – and sometimes conflicting – state laws... <a href="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/with-states-not-waiting-for-federal-legislation-the-make-america-healthy-again-102lzdh/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>

Is the Texas food labelling law unconstitutional?

Food industry trade groups including the American Beverage Association, the Consumer Brands Association and the National Confectioners Association, sued the State of Texas earlier this month claiming that portions of its “Make Texas Healthy Again” Act are unconstitutional because... <a href="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/is-the-texas-food-labelling-law-unconstitutional-102lz9v/" type="link" id="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/is-the-texas-food-labelling-law-unconstitutional-102lz9v/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>

Will California's definition of ultra-processed food (UPF) gain traction elsewhere?

With the increasing attention and criticism being given to UPFs, one of the challenges faced by the food and beverage industry is to define what exactly qualifies as a UPF. California has offered up its definition of the term, becoming the first state in the nation to do so... <a href="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/will-californias-definition-of-ultra-processed-food-upf-gain-traction-elsewher-102lz9n/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>

A prediction for 2026: plant-based eggs are going to be one of the next big food and beverage trends.

I've been reading a lot of articles lately predicting the trends that will dominate the food and beverage space in 2026. One that has been flying somewhat under the radar is the increasing popularity of plant-based eggs as a high-protein food with reduced cholesterol... <a href="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/a-prediction-for-2026-plant-based-eggs-are-going-to-be-one-of-the-next-big-food-102lz6y/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>

Can drinking coffee actually help you live longer?

As 2025 comes to an end, I've been thinking about my New Year's resolutions for 2026. I was batting around the idea of trying to quit drinking coffee, ostensibly to improve my overall long-term health. But then I ran across an article... <a href="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/can-drinking-coffee-actually-help-you-live-longer-102lz6v/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>

As reported recently in Dairy News Today, a recent consumer research study revealed that 79% of Americans surveyed trust a farmer to “do the right thing” when it comes to the public interest. The report notes that this makes farmers the most trusted link in the food chain... <a href="https://www.michaelbest.com/insights/trust-a-farmer-to-do-the-right-thing-102luh8/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>

Rows of leafy green plants being watered inside a large greenhouse with overhead irrigation systems.

Legal Bites: Q4 2025 Edition

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