Mitzi Clark advises domestic and international corporations on a wide range of food, cosmetic, and drug packaging regulatory issues, ranging from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) premarket clearance requirements for food contact materials and local and state regulations concerning plastics and chemicals, to good manufacturing issues and regulatory requirements for food, alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, and animal feed. Mitzi’s practice extends to the international arena, where she regularly counsels clients on regulatory matters in jurisdictions such as Asia, Canada, the European Union (EU), Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.

Mitzi began her legal career at Keller and Heckman in the firm’s Washington, DC office where she experienced firsthand the mechanics of U.S. regulatory agencies. Recognizing the need for food contact expertise on the West Coast, she relocated in 2018 to Keller and Heckman’s San Francisco office, which she currently manages. Since her time in San Francisco, Mitzi has helped numerous companies understand the nuances of various state and local laws and regulations, including California’s Proposition 65, A.B. 1200 on Plant-Based Food Packaging and Cookware, the Rigid Plastic Packaging and Container Program (RPPC), and the State’s plastic bag legislation.

While in law school, Mitzi served as the executive editor of the Temple Environmental Law and Technology Journal. Before attending law school, Mitzi received a Master's in Public Health. Coupled with her scientific background in cancer research, Mitzi’s experience in public health and epidemiology brings a unique technical perspective to complex regulatory matters.

Mitzi has contributed to various trade publications, including Food Packaging Bulletin, Plastics Recycling Update, and FLEXO Magazine, as well as packaginglaw.com. She is frequently invited to speak at domestic and international conferences and has presented on topics related to food contact regulatory matters, recycled plastics, and California’s Proposition 65 and other state-related legislation.

Representative Matters

• Assisted clients in tracking and understanding state sustainability-related laws in California and other states, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for packaging and food service ware
• Strategized the submission of numerous food contact filings to FDA and its international counterparts, including those that relate to polymers, additives, and new bio-based materials
• Negotiated the successful resolution of various Notices of Violation regarding consumer products under California’s Proposition 65
• Assisted both domestic and foreign companies in obtaining No Objection Letters (NOLs) for recycled plastics
• Established compliance of wine processing aids under U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and related FDA requirements

Memberships

• Institute of Food Technologists
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)

Awards

• Chambers USA Ranked Attorney: Food and Beverages: Regulatory & Litigation – Nationwide, 2024