Streamlined Liquor Control Code aims to help brewpub licensing process
Within the past few months, the City of Grand Rapids achieved the designation as "Beer City USA" (I will ignore the fact that this distinction must be shared with Asheville, North Carolina). We at...
View ArticleChange in Canadian Allergen Labeling
We are all keenly aware that the FDA requires specific allergen labeling for packaged foods and we know that we need to strive to do it correctly because the FDA has really taken notice. In fact,...
View ArticleFDA Regulations – Impact on Animal Feed and Pet Food Manufacturers
The FDA has regulated animal and pet food products for many years under the same authority as it does human food — the Federal Food Drug & Cosmetic Act. Many of the regulations (but not all!) are...
View ArticleCalifornia’s Prop 37: Will the Tail Wag the Dog?
I've had several clients ask me to help them evaluate the potential effect of California's Proposition 37 on their food businesses. Prop 37, known as the “California Right to Know Genetically...
View ArticleLCC Adopts Policy Change on Concession Agreements
In February 2012, the Liquor Control Commission adopted a change in policy that impacts Class B hotel-licensed operators and applicants, as well as other licensees who provide space within their...
View ArticleMLCC Modifies Policies for Liquor License Issuance Requests
In the first week of June, the MLCC modified its recently adopted policies that govern the protocol for new liquor license issuance requests and request for transfer of ownership and/or location of...
View ArticleCommunity Awaits Changes That May Impact Liquor Control Code
Since early Winter of 2012, the licensed community has waited for the implementation of the recommendations that have been proposed by the State's Office of Regulatory Reinvention, which may...
View ArticleChange in Registration Requirement Postponed
The Food Safety Modernization Act has imposed new registration requirements on the food industry. These new requirements affect all food facilities – including those which had previously registered...
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Potential Policy Changes To Reduce Inequities Faced by Micro Brewers
Growing up, I recall spending significant time looking over my shoulder to make sure that my siblings were not receiving larger portions of our favorite dessert than the piece on my plate and spending...
View ArticleWhat Does California’s Prop 37 Mean?
We've had several clients ask for assistance in evaluating the potential effect of California's Proposition 37 on their food businesses. Prop 37, known as the “California Right to Know Genetically...
View ArticleFDA Facility Registration Now Open
After a short delay, FDA has now opened the re-registration process for use by food facilities. DO NOT LET THESE DEADLINES PASS. The Food Safety Modernization Act ("FSMA") requires all food...
View ArticleAvoid Liability for FDA User Fees
The FDA requires foreign food facilities, as part of their FDA registration, to appoint a "U.S. Agent" – which is a person or entity that maintains a residence or office, and is physically present, in...
View ArticleU.S. EPA Denies Request to Waive RFS Standards to Aid Livestock Producers
Since the first corn-based ethanol production facility became operational, the food industry has faced increased competition for corn. Livestock producers have long argued that the price of corn has...
View ArticleTougher Regulation of “Energy Drinks”?
In late October, Senators Dick Durbin and Richard Blumenthal sent a letter to the FDA urging for tougher regulation of energy drinks. The letter was prompted by news reports that the FDA has recently...
View ArticleFDA Uses New Recall Power for First Time
More than two years ago, the Food Safety Modernization Act authorized, for the first time, the FDA to force a company to conduct a food recall. Prior to that, all food recalls (with the exceptions of...
View ArticleCaptive Insurance Companies – Family-Owned Food Processors Might Consider...
Because I've had a couple of food industry clients inquire of me about the benefits of Captives, I attended a morning seminar on the topic earlier this week. I was very keenly interested in the real...
View ArticleYears Later, PCA Employees Indicted
I had the following email exchange earlier this year with a concerned client: Client (in late January 2013): "Hi Steve, I was wondering if you knew of any cases where employees were prosecuted for...
View ArticleComment Period Extended For Proposed FSMA Rules
Yesterday, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development hosted officials from the Food & Drug Administration at a "Listening Session" on the newly proposed rules under the Food...
View ArticleFood Defense Strategy Exchange
I attended, and was privileged to be asked to speak at, the 4th Annual Food Defense Strategy Exchange hosted by Tyco Integrated Security recently in Chicago. It was really a great event, with...
View ArticleDays of Wine and Roses
Who's whining now? Certainly not some of Michigan's 60 small vineyard owners, who are a step closer to being able to hand out samples and sell wine at local farmers markets. Under legislation...
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