Bennett Valley Viticultural Area Proposed

By Nancy Sutton (415)271-1254

On November 22, 2002, the Federal Register published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Notice No. 963, requesting public comments on the petition to establish the Bennett Valley viticultural area. This area of northern California consists of approximately 8,140 acres of valley and upland area, with 650 acres currently planted to grapes. The proposed Bennett Valley viticultural area lies entirely in the North Coast viticultural area. It is predominantly within the Sonoma Valley viticultural area and also has small portions in the Sonoma Coast and Sonoma Mountain viticultural areas. The public comment period closes January 21, 2003.

New Customer Service Phone Equipment in Alcohol Labeling & Formulation Division

By Marsha Heath (202)927-8140

The Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division (ALFD) is committed to providing quality customer service to all our customers. To further our efforts to improve customer service, we recently installed equipment that monitors and records all telephone calls made to our Customer Service Team.

The ALFD Customer Service Team was established on March 27, 2000, to deal with inquiries, questions and concerns relating to beverage alcohol labeling and formulation. Since that date ALFD has made changes and improvements to our services based on the needs of the industry. This latest step is being taken to ensure the accuracy of the information being distributed to callers and for developmental and training purposed for our customer service specialists.

The ALFD Customer Service Team is dedicated to maintaining a positive reputation and great rapport with the alcohol industry. We are certain that this measure will be beneficial to everyone involved.

ALFD Customer Service Team:

Reach us by telephone between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm (ET):

Toll free: 1-866-927-ALFD (2533)
Commercial: (202)927-8140

Contact us by e-mail anytime:
alfd@atfhq.atf.treas.gov.

Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002

By Theresa Glasscock (202) 927-8100

Are you aware of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, also referred to as the "Bioterrorism Act" (Public Law 107-88)? If not, please take the time to read this article.

President Bush signed the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, into law, on June 12, 2002. This legislation authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to take specific measures to protect the nation's food and drug supplies against bioterrorist threats. Under the interpretation of this law, alcohol beverages are considered a food and as such the alcohol beverage industry is affected.

The FDA has been tasked with implementing PL 107-88. Some of the requirements of PL 107-88 include: the registration with FDA of "Food Facilities", which include alcohol beverages; record keeping requirements of the "Food Facilities", and inspection of said facilities and of the product (including imported products), prior notification of imported products and the detention of those products if they do not meet the requirements outlined in the regulations currently being drafted by FDA. This law may very well impact you and your business operations.