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A California distiller told Fox News that the Food and Drug Administration’s surprise $ 14,000 fine on artisanal stills who turned to hand sanitizer production amid the coronavirus pandemic felt like to be “slapped” for doing the right thing.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), just two days after the FDA’s announcement, said it was going to make sure that didn’t happen, which Aaron Bergh, president of Calwise Spirits said. in Paso Robles, told the “American Newsroom” do not expect.
“I started out trying to do the right thing, trying to help during the pandemic. I checked in, did whatever the FDA required of us and felt like I was slapped for it, ”Bergh said.
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He noted that many distilleries either offer the disinfectant for free or sell it at low margins to help.
“I feel like we have the credit we deserve and just the outpouring of support,” Bergh said. “I mean, it’s really only been 24 hours since we broke this story and created this public outcry, ‘Hey, why is that fair to charge the distilleries $ 14,000 when they helped?’
“I think it was so cool to see how the audience stood up for our defense against it,” Bergh said.
Representative Denver Riggleman, R-Va., A Distiller himself, issued a statement saying, “I’m glad to see a ‘whiskey rebellion’ against the bureaucratic nonsense exposed by the FDA. The HHS responded professionally and appropriately by waiving the ridiculous grower fee for distilleries that sacrificed their own treasure to produce hand sanitizer for COVID PPE efforts. “
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Riggleman added, “God bless the distillers and all the companies that have stepped up in time of need. Whiskey is freedom.”
Bergh said the pandemic has been a “year-long roller coaster,” but he is grateful for the community for supporting his business.
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