BHL Bogen

BHL Bogen
BridgehouseLaw LLP - Your Business Law Firm

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Ferrero Recall

 Ferrero Recall



The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. will recall two of its chocolate products sold in the United States. The recalls were voluntary and were due to potential salmonella contamination. Although this recall may be disappointing or concerning to some chocolate lovers, this voluntary recall was a smart business move by Ferrero that potentially saved them from later liability.


This recall comes out of an abundance of caution after roughly 100 salmonella cases were reported from their products in Europe. Both the chocolates in the US and Europe are manufactured in the same facility in Belgium.


The two chocolate products being recalled in the US are the Kinder Happy Moments Chocolate Assortments and the Kinder Mix Chocolate Treats Basket. The recall includes all of these products in the US with a best before date up to October 7th, 2022.


Though it may have been disappointing to have to recall thousands of products before one of the largest chocolate buying days of the year, Ferrero make a wise decision. When importing goods overseas, businesses must make sure that their quality control is impeccable.


Ferrero had a lapse in their quality control and must fix it, but the recall, if instituted properly, could protect them from some kinds of liability if someone becomes sick from eating their product. If the recall is conducted poorly, the recall could increase the chances of liability. 


It is vital to have a recall plan in place for your products before it is ever needed, that way you can act fast, have a consistent message, and correct the issue. 


If you are in need of recall planning legal consultants, contact our team at BridgehouseLaw.


To get more updates on international stories related to business, law, immigration, and more, check out our blog.


Monday, April 11, 2022

Changes to the EB-5 Investor Visa Program

 

Changes to the EB-5 Investor Visa Program


The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 was recently signed into law making major changes to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. These changes include raising the minimum investment amount and reauthorizing the EB-5 Regional Center Program

What is an EB-5 Visa?

The EB-5 program is a visa program administered by the USCIS to allow foreign investors, their spouses, and unmarried children under 21 to become eligible to apply for permanent residence in the United States if they:

 

Invest substantial capital in order to finance a business in the United States that will provide substantial economic growth by creating at least 10 jobs.

Or

Invest in government authorized “Regional Centers”.

The second option is quite popular among investors due to the ability put money towards a regional center with a pool of other investors without having to worry about the risk of the business failing or employment problems.

Minimum Investment Requirements

The new act raises the minimum investment requirements to $1,050,000 or $800,000 if the investor chooses to invest in targeted employment areas (TEAs). 

Targeted employment areas are found in rural areas with high unemployment rates.

Regional Center Program

The EB-5 Regional Center Program lapsed in June of 2021 but was revived in March of 2022 for at least 5 years, until 2027. The goal of the EB-5 program is to simultaneously increase foreign direct investments and boost the economy by creating more jobs in the United States.

Though being a much more passive investment, the EB-5 Regional Center Program is still an investment that ultimately still leads to economic growth and job creation. A list of USCIS approved EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Centers can be found here.

Contact our Charlotte immigration team for more information about the EB-5 visa.

For more updates on immigration, visas, international business, and more, read out blogs here.