Can someone summarize the FDA regulations that are shutting down blenders?

[deckpiper]

I started this hobby after something apparently went down. I'm aware that several companies that used to sell blends no longer do so. A local store in my area mentioned that they can no longer blend tobacco because of the FDA.
Is there an "FDA for Dummies" description of what happened? Did the FDA try to target pipe smokers?

 

[warren]

See the forum titled "Tobacco Legislation" where there are a few cogent threads. You'll find an evenings worth of reading and a lifetime of confusion.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Here is the most relevant summary. To be on the safe side, cellar deep with your favorite blends.

 

[aquadoc]

I thought the ruling today was in favor of blenders.

 

[ashdigger]

Aquadoc, does not matter. The damage has been done and costs will only go up.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Here is the most relevant summary. To be on the safe side, cellar deep with your favorite blends.

Yep. Just squirreled away another 5 pounds of ODF.

 

[curl]

I assumed that ODF was an old well established blend.

Wrong!

The oldest review of it is May 2012.

I need to double check my assumptions and the release dates of my favorite blends.
Thanks, Captain.

 

[blendtobac]

Here's the Cliff Notes version -
No new blends to market unless they were sold in the US on or before 8/8/16 unless they have been submitted for testing and approval.

Any new blends brought to market after 2/15/07 can't be sold after 8/8/21 unless they have been submitted for testing and approval.

No free samples of tobacco can be distributed, but can be included as part of a purchase.
The ruling made recently, however, exempts individual shops from having to file as a manufacturer to blend tobacco in-house.
Russ

 

[johnscs]

Thanks a lot for the Cliff Notes version, Russ! Really helpful!
If I understand correctly, this latest development should come as fairly good news, right?

 

[blendtobac]

If I understand correctly, this latest development should come as fairly good news, right?

Especially for brick & mortar stores.
Russ

 

[samw74]

I guess that means Louisiana Red won’t be subject to the FDA deeming rules?

 

[deckpiper]

Thanks for the cliff notes version!
And, thanks for the pointer to the other sub-forum. I'll figure this place out eventually!!

 

[bnichols23]

>>unless they were sold in the US on or before 8/8/16 unless they have been submitted for testing and approval.

Any new blends brought to market after 2/15/07 can't be sold after 8/8/21 unless they have been submitted for testing and approval.
Oh, Good Godddd.. That is just freaking imbecilic. What in the name of heaven were the people thinking?
(Yeah, yeah, I know: "I guess you could say I *wasn't* thinking, Captain..." -- "Cool Hand" Lucas Jackson)

 

[cigrmaster]

Old Dark Fired is on the chopping block so buy all you can now.

 

[irishearl]

Harris, gonna miss that 1 a lot when it's gone. It's in my top 2 blends. But, am afraid I'm in no position to do heavy cellaring of any tobacco financially.

 

[sablebrush52]

I guess that means Louisiana Red won’t be subject to the FDA deeming rules?

Yes and no. Yes, because Louisiana Red has been available in the US tobacco marketplace since before the 2/15/2007 Predicate date, which means that it is grandfathered in and doesn't need to go through the FDA Deeming process. No, in that the FDA reserves the right to reconsider these "grandfathered" blends at any time.
The FDA Ruling language is deliberately vague, written to be confusing, as though it was written by Martian with an IQ of 19. But certain dates and ranges are defined.

 

[mso489]

It's a small concession overall, but letting small shops blend their own blends is a wonderful reprieve. My local guy is hanging on. I'm glad there is some awareness of push back, and some acceptance, at least this little bit. Old gents like to get together and commune around their pipes. Okay, so is the FDA going to recommend an alternate activity and maybe set up facilities? Or just strongly recommend the benefits of sociability while closing down the stimulus for it?

 

[carolinachurchwarden]

After talking to one shop owner, I believe he had the idea that instead of creating the blends himself and being forced to provide packaging for it, which would just become a gigantic headache for most shops, he would just have on hand all of the bulk varieties that would be needed to produce popular blends. Then, when you come into the shop wanting that particular blend, he could sell you the amounts required to produce that blend yourself, right there in the shop. In the end, the buyer can still walk away with the blend of his choosing without the added inconvenience of blending and packaging himself. Could become a whole new idea that I would be interested in. Kind of fun too play around with too.

 

[mso489]

I think I've suggested a similar activity at home to increase the variety and control of blends, working with blends and condiment tobaccos. The shop assistance would be good and would keep the shops going too. Either way, all to the good.

 

[bnichols23]

Yup, like the hobbyist aspect I alluded to when working at John Crouch back 40 years ago. There's just an indefinable appeal to *really* RYO....