Overview
Danny Rubenstein provides strategic counseling to industry regarding regulatory compliance requirements for food packaging materials and food ingredients across the globe.
With a technical background in Industrial Engineering, Danny recognizes the importance of providing clients with timely and actionable advice regarding critical regulatory decisions that drive product innovation, marketing, and promotion. Danny leverages this experience to assist companies in proactively establishing compliance for products under the laws and regulations administered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He also is familiar with food contact material regimes in the European Union (EU) and jurisdictions throughout Asia and South America.
Danny regularly speaks to professional organizations and trade associations about developing, implementing, and promoting Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) strategies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for regulated facilities, and has authored a number of publications on this topic. He also uses his technical background and internal auditing experience to assist clients to prevent and – when necessary – respond to product contamination and recall situations.
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Pennsylvania
- J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, 2010, cum laude
- B.S.E., University of Pittsburgh, 2006, magna cum laude
Areas of Work
Representative Matters
Food and Food Contact:
- Prepared and submitted Food Contact Notifications (FCNs) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for polymers, additives, processing aids, and components of food-contact plastics and paperboard for adult and infant foods.
- Submitted petition to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for addition and listing of new substance to the European Union (EU) Plastics Regulation No. 10/2011.
- Filed petitions with China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) for addition of new substances and expanded uses for existing additives under GB 9685 Standard.
- Submitted Application for Authorization of a Food Contact Substance to the United Kingdom (UK) Food Standards Agency (FSA) for additive used in food packaging.
- Authored opinion letters establishing the suitable regulatory status of food-contact materials in the US, EU, China, Japan, and South America (MERCOSUR), including "No Migration," self-determined Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and equivalent positions.
- Conducted FDA regulatory due diligence evaluation for proposed Merger and Acquisition (M&A) of FDA-regulated medical device company.
- Evaluated GRAS status of substances added to Distillers Dry Grains with Solubles (DDGS) as a byproduct of ethanol production for use in animal feed applications.
- Organized coalition to support successful industry abandonment of food-contact material no longer used in food packaging applications.
- Authored chapter for Global Legislation for Food Contact Materials, Second Edition (2022).
- Provided Continuing Legal Education (CLE)-eligible training and educational programs for food and food packaging manufacturers.
Good Manufacturing Practice and Facility Audit
- Investigated, identified, and provided advice and guidance regarding potential packaging contamination and recall obligations due to faulty manufacturing equipment.
- Conducted external audit of FDA-regulated manufacturing facilities in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements, under attorney-client privilege.
- Advised clients on US and EU regulatory requirements pertaining to use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and other materials in food-contact applications.
- Provided advice and guidance regarding compliance with warning requirements under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65).
- Prepared and submitted Drug Master Files (DMF) and administrative updates for packaging materials used to hold pharmaceutical products in the US and China.
E-Vapor, Hemp and Hemp-Derived Cannabidiol (CBD)
- Served as lead counsel to the Hemp Leaders Coalition Trade Association.
- Advised E-liquid industry regarding FDA Temporary Policy on Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers and associated registration requirements with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
- Advised clients regarding the sale, use and labeling of food and cosmetic products containing hemp-derived CBD under state and federal law.
Pro Bono Activities
- Successfully assisted pro bono client in preventing wrongful foreclosure through the use of the US Department of the Treasury Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).
- Supported Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington Legal Network (CCLN) volunteer pro bono legal intake program.
- Provided pro bono tax credit filing assistance to low-income residents of the District of Columbia.
- Prepared wills, durable power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, and advance directive estate planning documents for District of Columbia residents.
Speaking Engagements
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"FCM Regulation: the US and How it Relates to Other Regions," Chem-Academy Food Contact Materials Regulation, February 10, 2025
- "Exploring Alternatives to PFAS," Smithers Plastics & Paper in Contact with Foodstuffs, December 10, 2024
- "The 'State' of PFAS Regulation in the United States," SPE PFAS in the Plastics Industry 2024, October 30, 2024
- University of Maryland I.P. Alumni Networking Event, October 10, 2024
- "FDA Regulation of Silicones and Rubber in Food-Contact Applications," Rubber Division, American Chemical Society 2024 International Elastomer Conference, September 10, 2024
- "FDA Chemistry Guidance Revision – What Could the Future Hold?" Enhesa (Chemical Watch) Food Contact Regulations North America 2024, June 20, 2024
- "US State Packaging Legislation Trends and Updates," Smithers Global Food Contact 2024, May 23, 2024
- "FDA Regulation of Polyethylene Films used in Food-Contact Applications," AMI Polyethylene Films North America 2024, February 13, 2024
- "Discussing the Role of Regulations in Promoting Plastics Recycling," AMI Plastics Recycling World Expo 2023, November 16, 2023
- "Overview of Green Claims for Food Packaging in the U.S.," Bech-Bruun Food Law and Policy Forum 2023, November 7, 2023
- Panelist in "Round Table on Sustainability and Legislation," SACMI Green & Digital Conference, October 19, 2023
- "Update to FDA Consumption Factors: Technical and Legal Considerations," 9th Annual FSAP In-Person Meeting, October 10-11, 2023 – with Patricia Kinne
- "Spotlight Address: Nothing Lasts Forever: The Changing Landscape of PFAS Regulation," FoodBev Exchange, October 9, 2023
- "Sustainability in Food Packaging: Regulatory and Supply-Chain Developments and Considerations,” Smithers E-Pack USA 2023, October 3, 2023
- "FDA Regulation of Caps and Closures used in Food-Contact Applications," AMI Plastic Closure Innovations Conference, June 15, 2023
- "Introduction to Food Contact Regulations in China and Japan," Steptoe Food Contact Conference, April 25, 2023
- The Rubber Band Effect: Supply Chain Impacts on FDA-Regulated Food and Food Packaging Manufacturers, FoodBev Exchange, October 25, 2022
- "Demanding Supply: Perspectives on Supply Chain Impacts on FDA-Regulated Products," Institute of Industrial Engineers' Annual Conference, May 23, 2022
- "Update on Cannabinoid Product Regulation," Hemp Leaders Summit, June 25, 2021
- "Regulation of Food Contact Materials in China and Japan," Smithers Global Food Contact 2021 Online, June 15, 2021
- "Regulation, Trade, and Standards Relating to Consumer Products Containing Hemp - Derived CBD," co-sponsored webinar with Dorantes Advisors and LGCA Consulting Affairs, September 30, 2020
- "Looking at the Future of the Hemp-CBD Market," International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI North America), July 10, 2020
- "Plastics in Plain Language - A Roadmap to FDA Regulation," AMI Plastics Regulations Conference, December 10, 2019
News & Publications
Client Alerts
FDA Hosts Public Meeting on Post-Market Chemical Reassessment Strategy
September 26, 2024
By: Daniel C. Rubenstein, Joan Baughan, Joseph Dages, Carly Rolph
Client Alerts
FDA Publishes Final Rule Revising Bases and Procedures for Revoking FCN Authorizations
March 22, 2024
By: Joan Baughan, Daniel C. Rubenstein, Joseph Dages, Carly Rolph
Client Alerts
February 9, 2023
Press Releases
Steptoe Announces Partner and Counsel Promotions for January 1, 2023
December 13, 2022
Press Releases
July 26, 2022
Client Alerts
FDA Proposes to Amend FCN Regulations
January 25, 2022
By: Joan Baughan, Joseph Dages, Daniel C. Rubenstein, Patricia Kinne, Kimberly Cassidy, Ph.D., Jessica Cooper, Ph.D., Sally Mordi
Resources
StepLadder Series
FDA Regulation of Printing Inks
July 10, 2024
StepLadder Series
February 13, 2024
StepLadder Series
Part 13 of our StepLadder Series about Food Packaging Regulation
February 2, 2024
StepLadder Series
November 20, 2023
StepLadder Series
Part 11 of our StepLadder Series about Food Packaging Regulation
October 30, 2023
StepLadder Series
Part 10 in our StepLadder Series about Food Packaging Regulation
October 16, 2023
StepLadder Series
Food Contact Notifications (FCNs)
Part Nine in our StepLadder Series about Food Packaging Regulation
September 27, 2023
StepLadder Series
Food Type Distribution Factors
September 6, 2023
StepLadder Series
August 8, 2023
StepLadder Series
July 28, 2023
Events
Seminars & Events
Complimentary Food Contact Conference
April 29, 2025 - April 30, 2025
Speakers: Joan Baughan, Daniel C. Rubenstein, Joseph Dages, Kimberly Cassidy, Ph.D., Jessica Cooper, Ph.D., Patricia Kinne, Sarah Owen, Ph.D., DABT, Surya Kundu, Melanie A. Ayerh, Anthony G. Hopp, Michael Boucher, Eléonore Mullier, Tom Gillett
Webinars
Food Contact Regulation: What to Expect in 2025 with the Change in Administration
March 18, 2025
Speakers: Joan Baughan, Joseph Dages, Daniel C. Rubenstein
Seminars & Events
Advertising and Consumer Protection Legal Forum
May 9, 2024
Speakers: Joan Baughan, Eric Berman, Daniel Blynn, Ruxandra Cana, Christopher R. Fredrich, Surya Kundu, Joseph McClure, Stephen J. Newman, Jeff Potts, Jennifer Quinn-Barabanov, Daniel C. Rubenstein, Julia B. Strickland
Seminars & Events
Complimentary Food Contact Conference
April 23, 2024 - April 24, 2024
Speakers: Joan Baughan, Daniel C. Rubenstein, Joseph Dages, Carly Rolph, Kimberly Cassidy, Ph.D., Jessica Cooper, Ph.D., Patricia Kinne, Tom Gillett, Ruxandra Cana, Daniel Blynn, Anthony G. Hopp, Surya Kundu, Dr. Yan Gu
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Paul Honigfort, Dr. Zhu Lei
Webinars
Recent Developments in Sustainability-focused Laws for Food Packaging
April 4, 2024
Speakers: Joseph Dages, Daniel C. Rubenstein
Seminars & Events
Complimentary Food Contact Conference
April 25, 2023 - April 26, 2023
Speakers: Joan Baughan, Daniel C. Rubenstein, Joseph Dages, Carly Rolph, Kimberly Cassidy, Ph.D., Jessica Cooper, Ph.D., Patricia Kinne, Glen Rosini, Tom Gillett, Anthony G. Hopp, Ruxandra Cana, Coy Garrison, Abigail Miller, Regulatory Review Chemist, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Sean Fischer, Consumer Safety Officer, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Daniel Felton, Executive Director, AMERIPEN
Noteworthy
- Alumni Feature, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, February 20, 2023
- Contributing author, Global Legislation for Food Contact Materials, Second Edition (ISBN: 9780128211816) (June 30, 2022)
-
Recipient of the 2020 Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (IISE) Outstanding Middle Career Leadership Award for Business and Industry
- Recipient of the 2015 John Carroll Society Pro Bono Legal Service Award
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Member, Cannabis-Derived Products Committee, Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI)