“For over 25 years, my goal has been to provide timely, insightful and accurate legal advice to my meat, poultry and other food clients. Food companies subject to intense regulatory scrutiny by USDA and FDA have a right to demand these qualities from their regulatory attorney.”
Brett Schwemer
Managing Principal/USDA Practice Head
- Washington, DC
- bschwemer@ofwlaw.com
- (202) 518-6359
- (202) 841-8438
As the head of the firm’s USDA practice group, Brett advises meat, poultry and egg product companies and trade associations before the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, and in the case of dual jurisdiction plants before the Food and Drug Administration, on food inspection, safety and labeling law. In addition, Brett specializes in regulatory, compliance and enforcement matters before other USDA agencies, such as the Agricultural Marketing Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
FSIS and FDA Inspection & Food Safety
- Inspection matters, such as responding to or appealing non-compliance records (NRs) or FDA-483s and handling inspector complaints
- Investigations and enforcement matters (e.g., FSIS Notice of Suspensions (NOS), FSIS Notice of Intended
Enforcement Actions (NOIE), FSIS Notice of Alleged Violations (NOAV), FDA Warning Letters)
- Food Recalls
- Hazard Analysis, Critical Control Point Systems (HACCP), Sanitation Standard Operation Procedures (SSOPs)
- Humane slaughter issues
- Export/Import matters
- New technology submissions and regulatory waivers
FSIS and FDA Labeling
- Labeling review and/or approval
- Labeling appeals
- Food ingredient and approval issues
- Investigations and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, including Notice of Violations, Stipulation Agreements, Administrative Actions, and Court Actions
- Meat and poultry grading issues
APHIS Compliance
- Animal Health requirements
- Import/Export requirements
Due Diligence Reviews
Criminal Defense
Practice Areas
- Packers & Stockyards Act
- National Organic Program
- Trade Associations
- Enforcement & Litigation
- Inspections
- Meat & Poultry
- Food Recalls
- Food Labeling & Advertisement
- Food Service, Restaurants & Retailers
- Customs & Import/Export Regulations
- FDA Food Law and Food Safety
- Facility Registrations
- Due Diligence
Past Experience
- Case Agent, FDA Special Prosecution Staff (1993-1995)
Credentials
Education
James Madison University, B.B.A., 1989
Ohio Northern University School of Law, J.D With Distinction, 1992
Bar Admissions
Maryland, 1992
District of Columbia, 1995
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court, 1997
News & Insights
May 28th, 2015
May 12th, 2015
October 25th, 2016
May 15th, 2019
