RESCISSION OF CERTIFICATES OF ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS FOR
IMPORTED ITALIAN WINES
Importers, Wholesalers, and Others Concerned:
PURPOSE. The purpose of this industry circular is to notify
importers and wholesalers that the existing requirements for
certificates of analysis for methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) for
wines coming from the Veneto region of Italy are rescinded.
BACKGROUND. In January 1992, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms (ATF) learned from news sources of the arrest of
various individuals involved in the adulteration of Italian
wines from the Veneto region. The adulterant was determined to
be MITC, a pesticide used to retard spoilage. ATF immediately
initiated a testing program for wines from the Veneto region of
Italy leading to the discovery of the adulterated wines in the
U.S. market. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised
ATF that any wine containing 0.02 parts per million (ppm) and
above of MITC would be considered adulterated pursuant to the
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 342(a)(2)(C)
and 348. ATF stated that any such wines would also not be in
compliance with the labeling provisions of the Federal Alcohol
Administration Act, 27 U.S.C. §§ 205(e). Permittees were
cautioned that the marketing of an adulterated and mislabeled
wine under the interstate and foreign commerce jurisdiction of
the Federal Alcohol Administration Act was unlawful.
Consequently, procedures were put in place requiring importers
to present to U.S. Customs certificates of analysis for MITC
for all wines coming from the Veneto region of Italy, and to
submit copies to ATF's Special Programs Branch (CO). These
procedures were set forth in industry circular (IC) 92-1 dated
March 16, 1992; and were to be in place until such time that
ATF rescinded the circular.
Further testing by ATF of over 100 samples of wine from the
Veneto region of Italy, utilizing certificates of analysis
submitted by importers, has disclosed that none of these wines
contained 0.02 ppm or above for MITC.
ACTION. Based on test results, we notified U.S. Customs that
effective March 17, 1993, certificates of analysis for MITC for
wines coming from the Veneto region of Italy will no longer be
required to be presented to U.S. Customs by importers in order
to effect the importation of these wines. All instructions and
directives requiring certificates of analysis for testing
Italian wines from the Veneto region of Italy for MITC are
rescinded.
This industry circular supersedes the instructions contained in
IC 92-1.
INQUIRIES. Inquires concerning this industry circular should
refer to its number and be directed to the Special Programs
Branch (CO), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms,
Washington, DC 20226.
Director
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