I think the first thing that needs to be done is to form an organization and get members. (Politicians pay attention to numbers)
Each of our locations has local health boards, state health boards and alcohol beverage control boards and are subject to FDA laws. None of them seem to want to listen to individuals like us but would listen to an organization.
I have contacted my local health board and state health board and gotten nowhere. The first thing they say is bacteria found in beer is not harmful. The things I have seen in beer lines can’t possibly be healthy and what about airborne bacteria that gets into the faucets. Are all eating and drinking utensils subject to health laws except draft beer faucets? In my area of the country a retailer can be fined if a fruit fly is discovered in a liquor bottle, but there is no fine if a fruit fly is found in a beer faucet. Some states there are laws that lines have to be cleaned every two weeks or even weekly and others like New York there is no law. WHY a difference from state to state.Once you get by this problem I think you can make progress in getting legislation and even licensing passed.
The next point to bring out is that every time a distributor cleans beer lines Tax Revenues are lost!! Every time a distributor installs a beer system Tax Revenues are lost!
Next, why is FDA 4.101.14 being ignored? This federal law states that any low PH beverage like beer can have no brass or copper in its delivery system. Tests have shown that the acid from low PH beverages react with those metals and produce cancer causing agents. This law was passed in 2005 and most articles on the subject state health departments will begin checking systems once low cost testers become available. I can tell the difference between brass and stainless steel by looking! We could all make money replacing the old brass towers, fittings and faucets including all chrome plated faucets. Maybe a letter from an organization sent to all our newspapers would get some real publicity and make the public aware.
I would also like to see a sign or window sticker available that would state that this establishment maintains its draft beer system to the highest industry standards and include our new organizations name and logo. This sticker would only be available to our members.
These are just a few ideas I have, hopefully other will have more.
Joe
Draught Cleaning Services
Draughtcleaning@twcny.rr.com