Blog

The Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011 (pronounced “fiz-muh”) requires that breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) to keep consumers safe. This may seem like a daunting task for breweries that are just getting started or have a small staff. The regs were originally designed for food manufacturers until the FDA deemed beer “food” in 2011. As of September 2018, all breweries - regardless of size - must comply. It can b …

If you follow FDA recalls , the words “possible foreign matter contamination” are a very common (almost weekly) cause. Put simply, it refers to any extraneous matter, whether physical, chemical or biological, found in food. And remember, food includes beverages, bottled water and nutritional products. Typically, the foreign bodies render the food unfit for human (or pet) consumption. Recalls can be very costly for food manufacturers. Indirect costs of potential fines, lawsuits, s …

With the increase in therapies and other consumer products derived from cannabis and its components, including cannabidiol (CBD), various federal, state and county agencies are beginning to regulate the industry for compliance. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets high standards for food and pharmaceutical industries to ensure the safety of the consumer. CBD-based food products fall under existing food safety regulations - namely the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) . T …

Breweries are often pet-friendly places to share a drink with friends. People love their dogs as much as they love beer. But did you know that hops, a key ingredient to a lot of beers, is poisonous to dogs and, more rarely, cats? Hops are the flowers from the plant Humulus Lupulus. Brewers use hops for flavor and as a stability agent. They come in several forms including dried flowers, plugs or pellets. The toxic component of the plant is unknown, but essential oils, resins, phe …

We love our pets, but did you know that cats in the brewery may get you in trouble with the FDA? The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulates beer as food. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) 21 CFR Part 117, which all breweries must comply with, require the use of pest control to protect ingredients like grains. Cats are not an approved method. Be prepared for your next audit with the FDA or Dept. of Agriculture by understanding the FSMA requirements and how they impact your brewe …