FDA recommendations could affect brewpubs.
The Institute for Brewing Studies of Boulder, CO, has just released a Brewer's Alert bulletin. The bulletin is in response to Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations that could affect U.S. brewpubs. The recommendations in question follow:1. A uniform ban on the use of copper or copper alloys during the production of food items. The passage reads: "Copper and copper alloys such as brass may not be used in contact with a food that has a pH below 7, such as vinegar, fruit juice or wine, or for a fitting installed between a backflow prevention device and a carbonator." The Institute notes that if this recommendation is adopted, small brewers would have to replace any segment of brewing equipment containing copper or copper alloy. While the institute says this recommendation should not affect breweries that do not maintain a food production on-site, it will affect brewpubs and brewpub-microbrewery combinations.
2. All "food establishments" which possess brewing operations will be required to obtain a variance from a regulatory agency before brewing. The passage reads: "A food establishment shall obtain a variance from the regulatory authority before smoking or curing food; brewing alcoholic beverages; using food additives as a method of food preservation rather that flavor enhancement; using a reduced oxygen method of packaging food except as specified, etc."
The Institute reports, "This recommendation is not an immediate concern, however, if the local regulatory agency decides your operation is not acceptable, the variance could then be removed, making operating a brewery illegal within the regulatory agency's control."
In response to the recommendations, the IBS issued this statement to small brewers: "The IBS strongly recommends that you contact your municipal and state officials to explain that 1) restrictions on copper and copper alloys used in breweries are unnecessary, and 2) such restrictions would be harmful to your business. Also we recommend that you address the variance issue with your municipal and state legislators, and explain to them that another level of licensing would be an unnecessary and punitive addition to your federal and state licenses."
The IBS observes that FDA;'s recommendations may be adopted by either state legislatures or by local regulatory agencies. Rhode Island has already adopted all the provisions within the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act; Illinois is currently debating them.
For clarification of these issues, IBS can be contacted directly. Contact: Jim Neighbors, (303) 447-0816, ext. 114.
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| Title Annotation: | Food and Drug Administration |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Modern Brewery Age |
| Date: | Jul 31, 1995 |
| Words: | 399 |
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