Hi Everyone,
Just a heads-up and as a means of starting a discussion, here's a recent release by TTB about up and coming rulemaking about a "FDA like" information panel, and additional possible requirements/disclosures on labels.
https://www.cspinet.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/2022-11-17%20TTB%20Response%20to%20CSPI%20Letter.pdfFrom that document:
"III. TTB Decision on 2003 Petition
TTB Will Initiate Rulemaking
After carefully reviewing this matter, TTB is hereby granting the 2003 petition to the extent that TTB will initiate new rulemaking on the issues of nutrient content labeling, expanded alcohol content labeling, major food allergen labeling, and ingredient labeling. As reflected in the Spring 2022 Unified Agenda,18 TTB plans to issue proposed rules on mandatory nutrient and alcohol content labeling19 and mandatory allergen labeling,20 as well as an ANPRM on mandatory ingredient labeling.21 TTB expects to solicit comments on all"
And the specifics:
"II. Procedural History
2003 Petition
On December 16, 2003, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), the National Consumers League (NCL), and others submitted a petition that requested that TTB amend its regulations to require that labels of alcohol beverages include the following information in a standardized format:
• The alcohol content, expressed as a percentage of volume;
• The serving size for a standard drink that contains 0.50 ounce of ethyl alcohol;
• The amount of alcohol in ounces and number of calories per serving;
• The number of standard drinks (using 0.50 ounce of ethyl alcohol as a standard drink) per container;
• An ingredients declaration, listing each ingredient (including food and color additives, and flavors) by its common or usual name, and;
• Current U.S. Dietary Guidelines definitions of moderate drinking for men and women."
This is proposed to cover beer, wine, and spirits, TTB categories which cover all alcoholic beverages in some form or fashion (seltzer, hard kombucha, cider, etc.)
Some context from the bodies that sought this for almost 20 years now.
https://www.cspinet.org/press-release/consumer-groups-obtain-ttb-commitment-issue-rulemakings-mandatory-alcohol-labelingTTB is just starting the process, so nothing is final, but I sense a change coming.
Cheers,
Kevin
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Kevin McCabe, PhD
Founder
Double Strand Consulting
kevin@doublestrandconsulting.comhttps://www.doublestrandconsulting.com/ASBC Alternative Beverage Subcommittee Chair
ASBC Technical Committee
MBAA Webinar Committee Vice-Chair
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