The FDA finalized regulations governing gluten-free claims for fermented foods. The rule applies to alcoholic beverages that fall within the FDA’s primary labeling jurisdiction. Companies must come into compliance no later than August 13, 2021. The new rule effectively prohibits gluten-free claims on fermented products that were not gluten-free from the start of the production process. But beers made without gluten-containing grain (e.g., beers made from rice) are allowed to use the term gluten-free so long as the manufacturer and […]
Read MoreRegarding CBD oil in beer, the TTB has issued a statement about beer that contains these cannabis-related additives. The statement unequivocally provides that there will be no approval of formulas that include substances illegal under the Controlled Substance Act. Hemp, however, is not banned by the CSA and, therefore, hemp or its derivatives may be used in alcoholic beverages, assuming certain conditions are satisfied, i.e., formula approval (all sales) and COLA (only interstate sales). But in order for the formula […]
Read MoreCertainly one of the most prominent and pressing issues of the day is that of direct-to-consumer sales – that is, either sales directly from a supplier to a consumer or sales from an out-of-state supplier or retailer to an in-state consumer. It is more the latter of the two causing attorneys general across the country heartburn. Before we dive into at a few cases that highlight the issues involved, let’s go over the logistics of such a sale. As an […]
Read More“It does not help us to push people into bankruptcy,” said one law firm managing shareholder. Jonathon Ringle of the Fulton County Daily Report contacted Lisa Harper for her comments on the pandemic, the hospitality industry and law firm collections. Lisa’s comments echo a belief of the founders of the Firm over 40 years ago that partnering with clients through good and bad times was the key to good client relationships and ultimately law firm success. An excerpt from the […]
Read MoreBy Lisa F. Harper, June 4, 2020 The original constraints of PPP Loan forgiveness simply no longer fit the situation which most businesses, especially those in the hospitality arena, are facing. For example, if a business could not hire back its employees if governmental regulations prevented it or its ability to generate business due to Coronavirus fear made it operationally impossible, under existing PPP requirements, forgiveness of the PPP loan would be reduced or even possibly eliminated. But last night, […]
Read MoreRe-opening for Georgia businesses that have been closed during the pandemic or have provided only limited service will be a process. That is, businesses generally cannot just throw open their doors and resume pre-pandemic business as usual. In addition to the sanitizing, distancing and other health protections and concerns, employers are concerned about bringing employees back to work – especially in light of the increased unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits to which they are entitled under the CARES Act and concern […]
Read MoreThe issue presented was whether Section 1 of the Sherman Act preempts state laws facilitating unsupervised private price-fixing, such as Connecticut’s—which requires private beer, wine and liquor wholesalers to “post” their prices in advance so that all competing wholesalers can match them, to “hold” those prices for a month and to refrain from offering quantity discounts to retailers. It is important to note that the wholesalers in this scheme determine not only the case prices paid by retailers, but also […]
Read MoreGeorgia Department of Labor Update Regarding Unemployment Claims Released April 15, 2020 Thank you very much for your continued support of the Georgia Department of Labor. We are in uncharted waters with claims for unemployment and we appreciate your help with Employer Filed Claims. This helps us to get benefits out to your employees quicker, faster, and more efficiently. We are here to help you as we all come together to help Georgians. Employer Filed (Partial) Claims: All Georgia employers […]
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