In a move officials said was a clear indication Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau intends to actively enforce a level playing field, about 40 Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco and TTB officials conducted a joint operation targeting alleged “pay to play” schemes in the greater Miami area.
It’s the largest trade practice investigation TTB has ever initiated.
“Pay to play,” also known as “slotting fees,” is an unlawful trade practice that hurts law-abiding industry members and limits consumer choice, TTB said, adding it “takes its responsibility to actively enforce a level playing field very seriously and appreciates this opportunity to work together with our law enforcement partners in Florida to ensure that existing industry members and smaller businesses just entering the marketplace can compete based on customer service and consumer preference rather than on their ability to buy shelf space.”
Officials said the investigation is still under way, and thus they couldn’t discuss results.