Regulations
DEAR SUGARMAKERS,
If you are selling maple syrup in the State of Connecticut, please read carefully.
Federal Law
According to Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011, maple syrup producers are now required to register their facility with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) if they manufacture maple syrup. According to the FDA’s website, failure to register “is a prohibited act under the FD&C Act. The Federal government can bring a civil action against persons who commit a prohibited act, or it can bring a criminal action in Federal court to prosecute persons who are responsible for the commission of a prohibited act, or both.”
UPDATE: The law has been passed, but the FDA, after several comment periods, has yet to decide on exact regulations. However, the Bio-terrorism Act of 2003 does require the registration of all food producing facilities, including maple.
The North American Maple Syrup Council suspects that this news may not be well received by some producers so please understand that we do not make the regulations nor do we enforce them. We are simply passing on this important information to you. It’s up to you to decide whether you qualify to register and we trust that you will represent the best interests of your sugaring operation during that decision process. New registrants must complete the FORM FDA 3537 (9/12) on line which is simple to fill out but rather lengthy (10 pages). There is no cost to register if you register directly to the FDA.
Here is the form: Form
Connecticut State Law
At this point, there is a voluntary inspection of sugarhouses by the State Department of Consumer Protection for sugarhouses that sell syrup to the public. Maple syrup processing facilities are being examined in the same manner as commercial kitchens. We all know that maple syrup is a low risk product if produced in a clean facility and packaged above 180 degrees. All maple syrup sold must have some sort of tracking information on the bottle or package including: name, address, and “not packaged in a government inspected kitchen” unless you've been previously inspected. One exemption to inspections is if you make maple syrup for your own use and do not sell it to the public.
DEAR SUGARMAKERS,
If you are selling maple syrup in the State of Connecticut, please read carefully.
Federal Law
According to Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011, maple syrup producers are now required to register their facility with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) if they manufacture maple syrup. According to the FDA’s website, failure to register “is a prohibited act under the FD&C Act. The Federal government can bring a civil action against persons who commit a prohibited act, or it can bring a criminal action in Federal court to prosecute persons who are responsible for the commission of a prohibited act, or both.”
UPDATE: The law has been passed, but the FDA, after several comment periods, has yet to decide on exact regulations. However, the Bio-terrorism Act of 2003 does require the registration of all food producing facilities, including maple.
The North American Maple Syrup Council suspects that this news may not be well received by some producers so please understand that we do not make the regulations nor do we enforce them. We are simply passing on this important information to you. It’s up to you to decide whether you qualify to register and we trust that you will represent the best interests of your sugaring operation during that decision process. New registrants must complete the FORM FDA 3537 (9/12) on line which is simple to fill out but rather lengthy (10 pages). There is no cost to register if you register directly to the FDA.
Here is the form: Form
Connecticut State Law
At this point, there is a voluntary inspection of sugarhouses by the State Department of Consumer Protection for sugarhouses that sell syrup to the public. Maple syrup processing facilities are being examined in the same manner as commercial kitchens. We all know that maple syrup is a low risk product if produced in a clean facility and packaged above 180 degrees. All maple syrup sold must have some sort of tracking information on the bottle or package including: name, address, and “not packaged in a government inspected kitchen” unless you've been previously inspected. One exemption to inspections is if you make maple syrup for your own use and do not sell it to the public.