Food, Beverage & Alcohol

Making the law work for food and beverage businesses

Business owners in the food and beverage industry, such as importers/exporters, distributors, liquor stores, and restaurants, all know the complexity of the regulatory environment. They also understand that if they fail to maintain compliance, they may be unable to operate for a period of time. For example, the Food Safety Modernization Act allows the government to shut down operations of unsafe food producers and handlers. In such a highly regulatory environment, you can neither afford to lose any ground to the competition nor ignore food safety and alcohol licensing rules.

Our attorneys are here to help ensure your business can operate without hindrance from regulation or any other challenges.

Importing and exporting

For importers and exporters of food and beverage, moving goods effectively across borders requires an ability to navigate regulatory channels. No importer/exporter can succeed without ensuring that his or her business is not being impeded by noncompliance. Are you aware when you need an importing license and which goods are more regulated than others and from which countries? We can help ensure that your goods move across borders without unnecessary hinderance, detainment, or confiscation.

Alcohol sales – online and on-premise

States and cities and counties Oh My!

Alcohol sales are complicated. After identifying whether you are operating in a three-tier or control state, you must further identify whether restrictions apply to liquor, wine, or beer, or all three. After you’ve done the initial legwork, you must adapt to city and county rules about whether you can operate as an online marketplace, partner with an existing retailer in the state in question, or become a licensed retailer in the state. And don’t forget that regulators at all levels can limit what you can ship alongside your alcohol. You may be surprised to learn that certain alcohol-related goods such as cork screws and decanters can’t be shipped in the same box, or from the same warehouse, as the wine itself. In other instances, you may be pleasantly surprised that you can include olives in the same box as gin and vodka. Did you know that in certain states your alcohol license is a commodity that can, amongst other things, be encumbered, transferred and assigned?

Sedhom Law Group, PLLC can help you determine the best strategy for achieving your goals, set up your partnerships with local retailers and delivery companies, and litigate on your behalf with respect to alcohol sales and obtainment of license.

Some of the issues we assist with include:

• Regulatory compliance
• Employment law
• Contracts
• Importing and exporting
• Food safety
• Alcoholic beverage licenses
• Data privacy and security
• Protection of trade secrets and proprietary information