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.