Mark Thompson

Mark Thompson: Attorney with Keller and Heckman LLP

Biography

Mark Thompson counsels companies and trade associations on global compliance requirements applicable to finished foods, food additives, food packaging materials, cosmetics, industrial chemicals, and associated labeling in Asia, the United States (U.S.), and the European Union (EU). He also advises clients on the regulation of drugs and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Asia.

Mark began his career at Keller and Heckman in the Washington, DC office. From 2009 through 2016, he was based in the firm’s Shanghai Representative office, where he gained extensive experience and perspective on the regulatory scheme in China and throughout Asia. During that time, he assisted foreign and domestic companies in evaluating and securing new clearances for products in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and other Asian countries.

Mark 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. In addition, he 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.

While in law school, Mark was a contract law teaching assistant and an Associate Editor for the Commlaw Conspectus. These experiences enhance his practice by providing a deeper insight into contract law and policy matters, respectively.

Insights & In the News

Overview of Japan’s Amended Positive List for Synthetic Resins

02.11.2026
Publication

Food & Chemicals Unpacked: Year in Review: Fare Thee Well 2025

02.03.2026
Podcast

Food & Chemicals Unpacked: Packaging as a Consumer Product - When It's Not Just What's In...

12.23.2025
Podcast

Best Law Firms Features Keller and Heckman in 2026 Edition

Press Release
11.06.2025

See more ›

Areas of Practice (13)

  • Animal and Veterinary Food and Drug
  • Cosmetics
  • Food and Drug
  • Food and Drug Packaging
  • Food and Food Ingredients
  • Medical Devices
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Sustainability and Product Stewardship
  • Consumer Products and Retail
  • Food & Life Sciences
  • Packaging
  • Tobacco and E-Vapor
  • Trade Associations

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
University of Georgia, B.A., 2004
Law School Attended:
Catholic University of America, J.D., 2008
Year of First Admission:
2008
Admission:
District of Columbia (Not admitted in China); Georgia
Memberships:

Memberships

•District of Columbia Bar Association
•Georgia State Bar Association

Languages:
Mandarin
Reported Cases:
Representative Matters: Advised on the compliance status of finished health food products marketed in China and elsewhere; Submitted hundreds of food-contact submissions to the Chinese government and dozens of Food Contact Notifications (FCN) to clear new packaging materials, including biopolymers, oxygen scavengers, and other emerging technologies; Secured direct food additive approvals in the U.S. and Asia; Compiled a comprehensive review of requirements for sourcing algae in Asia as it relates to the Convention on Biological Diversity; Submitted industry comments on legislation concerning food and food-contact materials in China and elsewhere in Asia, seeking common sense exemptions and revisions; Prepared a trade association White Paper on China's regulation of food packaging materials; Delivered presentations and other training to individual corporations and trade groups around the world
ISLN:
922038693

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Location

Contact Mark Thompson

Contact Information:

+86 21 6335 1618  Fax

www.khlaw.com

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