SNAP Trafficking - Responding to USDA FNS Violations and Civil Money Penalties

This webinar will discuss how to respond to the USDA FNS notice of violations, including reversing violations, avoiding bans from SNAP program, reducing Civil Money Penalties, appeals, and avoiding penalties on the sale of a retail store.

Why Should You Attend:

The US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services (USDA FNS) sends a letter stating your store committed trafficking of food stamps and imposes either disqualification or thousands of dollars in fines. With only 10 days to respond, what do you do?

The response is critical and understanding what options are available uniquely important. In this webinar, the presenter will walk you through the next steps from responding to appeals. We will discuss when violations can be reversed and how to prepare a statement of the events from your perspective. Where reversal isn’t an option we will look at the criteria for Civil Money Penalties and reductions in penalties. We will also explore the criteria for disqualification from the SNAP program and how to file an appeal. The process from beginning to end will be discussed to provide important insight into defending SNAP trafficking violations.

Learning objectives:

During this webinar, you will learn:

• How to write a statement and response to violations
• Criteria for reversals, disqualifications, Civil Money Penalties, and reductions in penalties
• How SNAP violations impact the sale of a retail location and strategies to avoid additional penalties from the sale
• How to appeal and what happens during an appeal

Areas Covered in the Webinar:

• SNAP statute
• Common SNAP FNS practices
• Strategies for responses and appeals

Who will benefit:

• Food & beverage industry executives
• In-House Legal Counsel
• Regulatory Affairs
• Government Affairs
• Distributors and manufacturers
• FDA/Food & Drug Attorneys

Instructor Profile:

Marc C. Sanchez, represents FDA/USDA-regulated companies in the food, dietary supplement, beverage, cosmetic, medical device and drug industries. With a focus on international trade, he advises clients on the regulatory requirements and strategic corporate considerations that affect the importation, distribution and exportation of FDA regulated products. Marc is a frequent national speaker on FDA compliance issues and is considered a leading voice in understanding the Food Safety Modernization Act, which has fundamentally changed food law in the U.S., with interviews and contributions in the Washington Post and Huffington Post.

For the food industry, Marc’s practice includes working with both the FDA and USDA on compliance, recalls, and import matters. His clients rely on his ability to equally balance market opportunity with risk exposure. The result is a philosophy that utilizes a client’s strengths in adapting to regulatory issues and market limitations. Marc’s strategy is to develop smart corporate governance along with regulatory compliance.

Marc is the founder of Contract In-House Counsel and Consultants, LLC. His firm utilizes a cost effective model of adding a contact in-house attorney to small and mid-sized companies to provide expert counsel on a short and long-term basis. He currently serves clients across the US, EU, China, and Middle East.