Alva C. Mather
Subscribe to Alva C. Mather's PostsAlva Mather is the global head of McDermott’s Regulatory Practice Group and a member of the Firm’s Management Committee, and heads the Alcohol Regulatory & Distribution Practice. As a nationally recognized go-to lawyer for alcohol beverage regulatory, commercial and M&A matters, clients say that Alva “comes to the situation with clear leadership and strong knowledge of the food and beverage industry.” She combines her extensive knowledge of the commercial and legal landscape as well as deep understanding of the beverage industry to help clients mitigate risk, respond to challenges, and capture and pursue new business opportunities. Read Alva Mather's full bio.
Florida Federal District Court Rules GRAS Regulation Preempts Florida Statute Criminalizing Ingredient
By Alva C. Mather and Christopher M. Lahiff on Mar 9, 2020
Posted In Food Safety and FDA, Legislation
In an important ruling dismissing a proposed class action, the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida ruled that the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) generally recognized as safe (GRAS) regulation preempts a Florida statute that criminalized adding grains of paradise to liquor. More specifically, the Court in Marrache v. Bacardi USA,...
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Eighth Circuit Strikes Down Multiple Missouri Alcohol Beverage Advertising Laws
By Alva C. Mather on Jan 13, 2020
Posted In Advertising and Marketing, Legislation, Trade Practices
In another blow to the constitutionality of alcohol beverage laws, the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit struck down on First Amendment grounds a number of Missouri’s alcohol beverage advertising laws on the basis that Missouri failed to meets it burden to demonstrate that such laws both advanced the state’s substantial interest and were...
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EPA Approves Use of 10 Pesticide Products on Hemp
By Alva C. Mather and Noah Feldman Greene on Dec 20, 2019
Posted In Cannabis, Food Safety and FDA
Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its approval of 10 new pesticides for use on hemp products. EPA’s approval of nine biopesticides and one conventional pesticide provides greater certainty to hemp farmers in time for the 2020 planting season. The hemp industry awaits further guidance from other federal regulatory agencies.
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USDA Publishes Long-Awaited Interim Regulations Governing the Production of Legalized Hemp
By Alva C. Mather on Nov 1, 2019
Posted In Cannabis, Food Safety and FDA
Yesterday, the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its interim final rule setting forth the proposed rules and regulations regarding the production of hemp under the provisions of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, or the “2018 Farm Bill.” As mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill, the proposed regulations outline provisions for both the...
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