Kathryn (Katie) Skaggs counsels clients in the regulation of food contact materials in a host of jurisdictions, including the United States (U.S.), the European Union (EU), South America (particularly the MERCOSUR bloc), Canada, China, eastern Asia, India, the Middle East (GCC), Australia, and New Zealand. Katie assists companies in bringing to market new food contact materials, such as plastics, biopolymers, paper, adhesives, coatings, recycled materials, and components of these materials (antioxidants, colorants, and other additives and processing aids), through submissions to government agencies in the U.S. and abroad. She advises on various U.S. state legislation that impacts packaging, such as Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, toxics in packaging laws, green chemistry programs, green claims requirements, and California's Proposition 65.

In addition to her extensive experience with food contact regulatory matters, Katie is an active member of the firm’s Tobacco and E-Vapor practice, focusing on the regulation of these products in the U.S. and EU. She assists companies with Standalone Grandfather Submissions, Substantial Equivalence (SE) Reports, Product Quantity Change SE Reports, Premarket Tobacco Applications, and other submissions to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products. 

Katie is a contributing author to packaginglaw.com, which provides news and analysis of worldwide packaging regulations, and is frequently invited to speak at international regulatory conferences. In addition, she is the co-host of Food & Chemicals Unpacked, Keller and Heckman’s podcast regarding the legal and scientific issues surrounding the food, chemical, packaging, and related consumer product industries.  

Katie has a background in public health (epidemiology, biostatistics, and chronic disease research), enabling her to fully engage with the technical aspects of regulatory work for Keller and Heckman's clients. Katie also has held faculty positions at the University of Rochester, American University, and Maryville University.

Representative Matters

• Drafted dozens of successful Food Contact Notifications (FCN) submitted to FDA to clear new food contact substances in the U.S. 
• Obtained food contact clearances in numerous other jurisdictions (EU, China, Canada, Indonesia, Korea, India, MERCOSUR)
• Assessed the FDA status and suitable purity of various pulp/fiber-based products for use in contact with food
• Assessed the need for labeling under California's Proposition 65 for multiple foodservice and packaging product lines
• Advised on compliance with state PFAS bans, as well as labeling and reporting requirements
• Assisted in tracking and understanding state sustainability-related laws, including Extended Producer Responsibility schemes for packaging and food service ware
• Helped obtain Substantial Equivalence orders and Substantial Equivalence Exemptions under the Tobacco Control Act administered by FDA

Memberships

• American Bar Association (ABA)
• Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI)

Awards

• Outstanding Graduate Award, American University Washington College of Law
• Senior Articles Editor, American University Law Review