On Friday May 31, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a public hearing on the topic of cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds. The FDA held the hearing to gather information regarding the safety risks and health benefits associated with cannabis products. More than 110 speakers, including academic researchers, trade associations and cannabis product manufacturers, presented to the FDA panel during the all-day hearing. Below we outline the notable points from the hearing, including statements by FDA officials and interesting speaker comments. (more…)
Bioengineered Food Disclosures
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a new regulation that would require food manufacturers to disclose information about bioengineered (BE) food and BE food ingredients. The proposed rule is the result of a 2016 law that required the USDA to establish a National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard for all food. For purposes of the BE disclosure law, “food” includes alcohol beverages intended for human consumption as well as non-alcohol beverages.
Originally published in The New Brewer, November/December 2018.
FDA Brewery Inspections
Most breweries have numerous dealings with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and understand the need to comply with TTB regulations; this includes preparation for TTB audits and inspections. But the TTB is not the only federal agency with the authority to conduct a brewery inspection.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also inspects food facilities, including breweries, to ensure they comply with FDA regulatory requirements. The FDA may conduct inspections as the result of routine surveillance, product quality issues, consumer complaints, or recalls. The agency also may conduct inspections to follow up on a previous inspection or an FDA enforcement action. The FDA also contracts with state and local food protection programs to conduct inspections and provide certification and training.
Read the full article, originally published in the July/August 2016 issue of The New Brewer.