Posts Tagged ‘serving facts/allergens’
CSPI Comment; Top 6 Things to Know
It is likely that all beer, wine and spirits labels will change dramatically in the near future. TTB has been working on new rules since CSPI and other groups submitted a petition in 2003. The new rules would require a “Serving Facts” panel on every container. This panel would include a lot more information, such as the typical serving size, number of servings per container, calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat. Because this is a big, controversial change, TTB has received more than 18,000 public comments during the past few years. There are far too many comments for most people to review, and so we will highlight and summarize the most noteworthy comments here. The most recent proposal and comments are here. This is comment 20 in a series; to see others, click on the “serving facts” tag below.
CSPI submitted a 10 page comment. It said:
- CSPI has been pushing TTB and ATF on this since 1972.
- Alcohol beverage labels offer few uniform disclosures to help consumers. Consumers deserve basic, uniform information that can help them “measure, monitor, and moderate their drinking.”
- Alcohol is “America’s most popular, legal drug.”
- TTB ignores more than 35 years of requests for ingredient labeling, and instead requires disclosure of rarely occurring nutrients such as fats and proteins. TTB should also require ingredient labeling.
- CSPI is concerned that marketers will exploit the nutritional information to “hawk alcoholic beverages as diet or health drinks.”
- CSPI strongly opposes the linear format except on 50 ml. containers.
Thirty five years into its marathon, and nearing the finish line, this article says CSPI is in dire financial circumstances.
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Nutty Beer
Yesterday we showed a couple of beers made with chestnuts. It was not a fluke, and there are a great many other malt beverages made with nuts. All of these will bear a prominent warning about nut allergens someday soon.
Today we have two beers made with pecans (as opposed to pecan flavor). The Shiner Holiday Cheer is Ale Brewed with Peaches and Pecans. The 512 Pecan Porter is a Malt Beverage Brewed with Pecans. 512 is a microbrewery in Austin and apparently takes its name from the telephone area code. The owner explains that “brewing brings together both my passionate, creative side and my organized, controlled and diligent nature. Engineering + cooking: a real dream job!!”
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ingredients, serving facts/allergens
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FTC Staff Comments; Top 5 Things to Know
It is likely that all beer, wine and spirits labels will change dramatically in the near future. TTB has been working on new rules since CSPI and other groups submitted a petition in 2003. The new rules would require a “Serving Facts” panel on every container. This panel would include a lot more information, such as the typical serving size, number of servings per container, calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat. Because this is a big, controversial change, TTB has received more than 18,000 public comments during the past few years. There are far too many comments for most people to review, and so we will highlight and summarize the most noteworthy comments here. The most recent proposal and comments are here. This is comment 19 in a series; to see others, click on the “serving facts” tag below.
The staff of various offices within the Federal Trade Commission submitted a 16 page comment. It said:
- The FTC staff “supports TTB’s proposal to increase substantially the amount of information contained on alcohol labels.”
- TTB should require labels to disclose ounces of pure alcohol per serving, rather than alc./vol. This would allow consumers to compare servings of different drinks without doing mathematical calculations.
- The FTC and TTB share jurisdiction over alcohol beverage labeling, and coordinate often.
- About 65% of Americans drink alcohol.
- The rule would “result in a substantial change in the appearance and content of alcohol labels.”
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Allergens, Nuts and Such
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There is a lot going on at TTB, so it would be easy to lose track of allergens. Way back in 2005 TTB proposed to require allergens (such as nuts and milk) to be disclosed on all alcohol beverage labels. This would follow the 2004 law change for foods more generally. The final rule is due out someday soon, according to TTB’s Agenda. In the meantime, TTB is qualifying some approvals with the following language as on the above approvals:
The disclosure of allergens used in this product is voluntary, pending final rulemaking (See Notice No. 62, 71 FR 42329). However; any reference made to allergens must declare all allergens used in the production of this product, including fining or processing agents.
For those eager to get started, the 16-page proposal is here. O’Riley’s Cream Liqueur (link above) has milk products and a detailed ingredient list. DoReMi Cream Liqueur has about the same, plus nuts.
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NABI and Presidents’ Forum Comments; Top 7 Things to Know
It is likely that all beer, wine and spirits labels will change dramatically in the near future. TTB has been working on new rules since CSPI and other groups submitted a petition in 2003. The new rules would require a “Serving Facts” panel on every container. This panel would include a lot more information, such as the typical serving size, number of servings per container, calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat. Because this is a big, controversial change, TTB has received more than 18,000 public comments during the past few years. There are far too many comments for most people to review, and so we will highlight and summarize the most noteworthy comments here. The most recent proposal and comments are here. This is comment 18 in a series; to see others, click on the “serving facts” tag below.
NABI is the National Association of Beverage Importers. It is a trade association whose members produce, import and distribute alcohol beverage products. Its three page comment said:
- The manner of presenting the information should be optional and depend on the space available.
- For example, a linear format may be suitable in some cases and in others the company could provide the information via a website.
- The rule is complex especially in combination with state and international rules, and allergen labeling.
The Presidents’ Forum of the Beverage Alcohol Industry is a trade association made up of US alcohol beverage company CEOs. Its two page comment said:
- This should be voluntary rather than mandatory.
- A toll free phone number or website could serve the same purpose.
- Or, a linear format is sufficient.
- As companies phase-in the serving facts panel, they should be allowed to do so without seeking new label approvals. This would ease the burden on industry and “reduce the need to review a vast number of already approved labels that no doubt would strain [TTB's] already scarce resources.”
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