FDA has asked tobacco companies to allow the agency to tour farms and factories that grow or process tobacco. Specifically, FDA would like to tour large and small cigarette factories, a smokeless tobacco plant, tobacco farms, a rolling-paper factory, and a tobacco warehouse. FDA says the purpose of its visits is to help the agency better understand how each step in the process could influence the final product; the tours would not be official inspections. Reynolds America, Inc. has indicated it will take the agency up on the request, while Altria Group, Inc. has not said whether it will do so.
For questions and/or comments, please contact Bryan Haynes, at 804.697.1420 or by email.