The FDA has announced plans to eliminate or propose eliminating Standards of Identity (“SOIs”) for 52 food items, stating that many of these regulations are outdated. These standards, which have existed since 1939, define what ingredients and production methods are required for certain foods like milk, peanut butter, ketchup, and jam. FDA Commissioner…
Author: Lindsey A. Zahn
Lindsey is the founder and author of On Reserve: A Wine Law Blog. She is an attorney and the Managing Partner of the alcohol beverage and food law firm Lindsey Zahn P.C. Lindsey is admitted to the New York State Bar.
New York Considers Brand Owner’s License to Modernize Alcohol Distribution Options
New York State is taking a meaningful step toward modernizing its alcohol beverage laws with Assembly Bill A6277A, which proposes the creation of a new Brand Owner’s License. For years, brand owners who lacked physical production facilities faced legal uncertainty when contracting with New York-based manufacturers. This bill aims to…
New York’s Reciprocal Shipping Law Faces Legal Challenge from California Spirits Brand
A recent federal lawsuit filed by Ad Obscura LLC (The Obscure Distillery,) a California-based craft spirits producer, against the New York State Liquor Authority (“NYSLA”) could have significant implications for interstate liquor shipping regulations in the United States according to Food & Wine‘s April 21, 2025 article titled “This Lawsuit…
Michigan Attorney General Cracks Down on Illegal Wine Shipments
According to Lansing State Journal, Michigan’s Attorney General took legal action against multiple wineries for allegedly illegally shipping wine into the state without the required direct shipper licenses. Since 2023, the Attorney General’s office has filed at least 700 lawsuits against wineries in New York, Washington, Montana, Oregon, and California,…
Mississippi Legalizes Direct-to-Customer Wine Shipping
Mississippi recently made a significant change to its wine laws by legalizing direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) wine shipping, effective July 1, 2025. This means licensed wineries can now legally ship wine directly to Mississippi residents. With this update, Arkansas, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Utah still remain in full restrictions or require in-person purchases…
TTB Proposes New Requirements for Mandatory Food Allergen and Alcohol Facts on Wine, Spirits, and Malt Beverage Labels
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) is revisiting its rulemaking on labeling alcoholic beverages with allergen information and Alcohol Facts, including per-serving alcohol content, calorie count, and nutrient details. In January 2025, TTB published Notice No. 238 and Notice No. 237 on the Federal Register, allowing for…
TTB Introduces New Standards of Fill for Wine and Distilled Spirits
On January 10, 2025, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) issued a final rule introducing new standards of fill for wine and distilled spirits containers. These amendments not only expand the allowable container sizes but also provide increased flexibility for industry members while offering consumers greater purchasing options. Key…
TTB Establishes New Standard of Identity American Single Malt Whiskey
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) issued a final rule, effective January 19, 2025, establishing “American single malt whisky” as an official type of whiskey produced in the United States. This decision follows petitions and comments from distillers and the American Single Malt Whisky Commission, aiming to…
2024 Year in Review: Key Legal Trends in the Alcohol Beverage Industry
As the alcohol beverage industry continues to grow and evolve, 2024 is shaping up to be a year of significant legal developments and trends. For wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries, and meaderies, understanding the key legal changes and emerging issues is crucial to staying compliant and competitive. In this year-in-review post,…
TTB Broadens List of Beer Ingredients Exempt from Formula Approval Requirements through TTB Industry Circular 2024-2
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) released Industry Circular 2024-2 on December 5, 2024, which provides an expanded list of beer ingredients exempt from formula approval requirements. The new Circular added 24 additional ingredients that brewers can use in their beers without needing to obtain a formula…