For the first time since the U.S. Department of Justice increased filing criminal charges for food safety violations, it may get its wings clipped just a bit by a challenge to district court jurisdiction in some limited instances. At issue is a jurisdictional question being raised on appeal that could prevent some criminal charges from…
Corporate entities in Halal beef scheme get fines, probation
Iowa’s Midamar Corp., a worldwide supplier to Muslim markets, and its Halal certifying agency Islamic Services of America, or ISA Inc., cannot be put in jail, but the corporate entities did not escape the hurt Thursday. 
Chief Judge Linda R. Reade imposed additional fines — $20,000 on Midamar and $60,000 on ISA Inc. The U.S.…
Sentencing in Food Safety Cases Are Not Without Complications
After every successful prosecution comes the sentencing. But in several high profile criminal cases involving food safety, sentencing is turning out to be pretty complicated. Take the case of 74-year-old William B. Aossey Jr. He’s the Iowan who built Midamar Corp. and Islamic Services of America (ISA) into a successful Halal food exporter. Then, in…
Courts Will Continue to Be Food Safety Enforcement’s Big Stick in 2016
Criminal courts have played a prominent role in food safety during both 2014 and 2015, and that will continue in 2016. We know that much for certain just by the amount of work the courts are carrying over into the New Year. We also know know the continuation of the restitution hearing before U.S. District…
Iowa Judge From Controversial Kosher Case to Preside Over Halal Trial
The same federal judge who took criticism from around the country for her involvement in bringing down a large Iowa Kosher meat company five years ago is now scheduled to preside over a criminal trial involving the founder of a major Halal food production and distribution company. U.S. District Judge Linda R. Reade is slated…