serving facts/allergens

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 14 in a series; to see others, click on the “serving facts” tag below. FIVS is a woldwide organization for all sectors of the alcohol beverage industry, with several in the European Union. FIVS’ 3-page comment said:

1. The TTB proposal “has the potential to significantly increase the financial and logistical burdens on the global industry when there are alternative means to achieve the same ends with less detrimental impacts.”
2. A new analysis for every product, at something like $250 per analysis, could lead to large costs and delays. In some cases, producers may...

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 12 in a series; to see others, click on the “serving facts” tag below. The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) represents about 50% of California’s winegrape growers, by tonnage. CAWG’s 1-page comment said:

1. We oppose mandatory serving and nutrition labeling requirements.
2. The rule would impose major costs and disruptions related to testing of products with “tremendous variability.”
3. TTB should be skeptical about the large number of form-generated comments in support of the rule.

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) commented on behalf of the nation’s 2,750 beer distributors. The NBWA’s 3-page...

Bob Skilnik has recently published a book entitled Does My Butt Look Big in this Beer? It shows the nutritional values for 2,000 beers, along the lines TTB may soon require on every alcohol beverage label. The book serves a valuable function by providing this information in the here and now, rather than waiting a few years for the rules to kick in. It provides a helpful glimpse of where things are headed. Skilnik has been following the beer business for many decades and has written several books on beer and nutrition. Skilnik says:

Whether brewers, vintners or distillers like it or not, the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), responsible for labeling requirements of alcoholic beverages, is close to making it mandatory for alcoholic beverages to list their nutritional values. … In the following pages, you’ll find nutritional information now that will help you to enjoy the moderate consumption of worldwide beer.

Skilnik has collected a lot of information and presented it clearly. The book provides an easy way to see, for example, that among about 100 listed Anheuser-Busch products, there is not a whole lot of variation in alcohol content or calories. The Bud Light Lime is way down around 3.1% alcohol by volume and 116 calories (per 12 ounces). And the Hurricane High...