FDA rewrites disputed ‘spent grain’ rule

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed new rules that would relieve Oregon brewers and farmers from the threat of an end to their beneficial relationship on spent grains, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Friday.

“I am glad that the FDA is listening to the brewers in Oregon and nationwide and are proposing the relief they deserve from a federal rule that seemed as if it was drafted by an agency that had one too many,” Wyden said.

“This proposed reversal by the Food and Drug Administration would ensure that the practice of Oregon brewers selling or even giving spent grains to Oregon farmers would no longer face the threat of ‘last call,'” the senator added.

“It’s always a good day when a federal agency sobers up,” Wyden said, “and is moving toward preserving the longstanding and beneficial relationship between two of the state’s greatest industries working together toward a common good.”

Senator Wyden and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski had both voiced their strong opposition to the FDA on the original rule earlier this year.