Why are there 2 recipes for the same product?
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey, a very popular drink with the “frat crowd,” has been recalled from Europe because it contains too much of the sweetener propylene glycol, an ingredient present in some types of anti-freeze. The whiskey’s European bottler informed the makers of Fireball they were out of compliance with European regulations. Two versions are prepared for sale: A recipe for Canada and the United States which contains propylene glycol, and a European version that has only traces present. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is “generally regarded as safe” for use in food at a concentration of up to 50 g/kg. The whiskey contains less than 12% the amount allowed by the FDC.
Fireball has exploded in popularity thanks to the fraternity crowd. In 2011, it shipped $1.9 million in sales but by 2013, the figure was up to $61 million.
The parent company Sazerac, based in New Orleans, has been putting out fires and addressing social-media driven concerns since the large shipments were recalled last week. Apparently sales have not declined since the story broke. However, Sazerac is in full damage control mode and insists its whiskey is safe to drink.
Source: Bloomberg Business week
What are the implications for your business?
Questions to consider:
- Do you have a process in place to ensure the right product is being shipped to the correct location?
- How are you tracking regulations in different countries?
- Do you have a “damage control” strategy in place should one of your products gain some negative press?
For help with any issue associated with chemicals, contact Amanda Cattermole at 415 412 8406 or Amanda@cattermoleconsulting.com. We can help you develop powerful solutions that protect company and brand reputation and result in safer products manufactured in cleaner supply chains.
Tips and Insights is published bi-monthly and contains information to help you make informed chemical management decisions. Each post highlights a particular topic and includes questions you may want to consider for your business.