The United States does not currently require ingredient labeling on alcohol. However, the European Union has recently implemented a labeling requirement to include ingredients, allergens, and nutritional information on all wines produced in or imported into the E.U., and the U.S. may be following in similar suit.
UPDATES ON LABEL REQUIREMENTS
In the E.U. the required information can be provided to consumers through QR codes or website links on the wine labels. Companies offer platforms for wine producers to easily make compliant digital labels with nutritional values by selecting ingredients and arranging them by quantity.
The U.S.’s Treasury Department’s Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) will require producers to list standardized alcohol content, calorie, and allergens on all beer, wine, and distilled spirits products. But domestic implementation may take a couple of years. The TTB is expected to issue three different proposals on ingredient labeling, nutrition information and allergen labeling this year, yet concerns linger about the full transparency of labeling guidelines informing consumers about ingredients with heightened sugar content or common additives for wine color enhancement.
HOW AN ATTORNEY CAN HELP
For businesses that aspire to or currently produce liquor, beer, or wine in the U.S., it would be wise to partner with an attorney, especially if they are new to the industry. An attorney can update them on the latest federal and state laws so that they remain in compliance and avoid potentially significant penalties for noncompliance. An attorney may also offer guidance in in the areas of shipping, delivery and negotiating contracts to add value to an alcohol retailer’s ongoing business operations.