The way alcoholic beverages are labeled is set to change, and these updates could have lasting effects on producers and consumers alike. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has proposed mandatory "Alcohol Facts" labeling, requiring brands to include more detailed information about alcohol content, nutrition, and allergens. At the same time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving forward with a front-of-label (FOP) nutrition disclosure proposal for certain alcoholic beverages under its jurisdiction. If these regulations are finalized, breweries, distilleries, and hard seltzer producers will need to rethink how they present their products.
The TTB’s Push for Transparency in Alcohol Labeling
Under the proposed rule, most beer, malt beverages, and spirits would be required to display an Alcohol Facts label, much like the nutrition panels found on packaged food and non-alcoholic drinks. The label would include:
Serving size
Number of servings per container
Alcohol content (stated to the nearest tenth of a percent ABV)
Total ounces of pure alcohol per serving
Calories, carbohydrates, fat, and protein per serving
A new aspect of the rule is the standardization of serving sizes based on alcohol strength. Beverages under 7% ABV would follow a 12 oz standard serving, while those between 7% and 16% ABV would use a 5 oz serving size. For higher ABV beverages, the serving size would be even smaller, aligning with how alcohol concentration impacts consumption.
For containers that hold between 100% and 200% of a standard serving size, the Alcohol Facts panel would need to list information per container instead of per serving. A 16 oz can of 6% ABV beer, for example, would need to provide alcohol and nutrition details for the full can rather than a 12 oz portion.
Another major change is the addition of allergen disclosures, which would require brands to list any presence of milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, or sesame. These allergens would need to be disclosed even if they are only used during production and do not remain in the final product.
Expanding Alcohol Content Labeling
Beyond the Alcohol Facts panel, the TTB is also looking to standardize how alcohol content is disclosed. The proposed rule would:
Require alcohol content to be listed to the nearest tenth of a percent ABV
Allow a 1% tolerance for beverages over 0.5% ABV but not for non-alcoholic or alcohol-free products
Continue rejecting “ABV” as an approved abbreviation, requiring producers to use “alcohol percentage by volume” or “alc/vol” instead
A significant aspect of this proposal is that it would apply to all beer and malt beverages, even those that do not cross state lines. Previously, producers operating solely within a single state were often exempt from federal labeling rules, but this proposal would close that gap.
To ease the transition, the TTB is proposing a five-year phase-in period for compliance, allowing brands to use up existing label inventory before making changes. Importantly, producers would not need to apply for a new Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) to comply with the updated rules.
The FDA’s Front-of-Label Nutrition Disclosure Proposal
While the TTB’s proposal is focused on transparency for beer, malt beverages, and spirits, the FDA is also introducing new front-of-label (FOP) nutrition requirements that would affect products under its jurisdiction, including fermented hard seltzers and wines below 7% ABV.
If finalized, the FDA’s rule would require a prominent Nutrition Info box in the upper one-third of the product label, displaying:
Saturated fat
Sodium
Added sugars
These nutrients would be classified as low, medium, or high, helping consumers make quick comparisons.
Exemptions and Special Provisions
Both the TTB and FDA proposals include exemptions for certain businesses and products:
Packaging smaller than 40 square inches (such as many cans and bottles of hard seltzer) could use a simplified Nutrition Info box that omits percentage values.
Very small containers under 12 square inches would not need an FOP label at all.
Businesses producing fewer than 100,000 units annually or making under $500,000 in total sales may qualify for exemptions.
Bulk packaging (such as kegs) must display nutrition information at the point of sale, though the exact implementation remains unclear.
What This Means for the Industry
The beverage alcohol industry is facing a major shift in how it communicates product information to consumers. The TTB’s Alcohol Facts mandate would require producers to provide more detailed nutritional and alcohol content data, while the FDA’s front-of-label rule would further impact hard seltzers and low-ABV wines.
Both proposals are open for public comment, with the TTB’s review period expected to last 90 days from January 17, 2025, and the FDA’s comment deadline set for May 16, 2025.
If finalized, these rules would introduce new compliance costs, particularly for small producers who may need to update packaging more frequently. However, they also signal a move toward greater transparency in alcohol labeling, aligning with consumer demand for clearer product information.
With industry organizations already weighing in, the final outcome of these regulations could shape how alcohol is labeled for years to come. Brands will need to stay ahead of these changes, ensuring that they remain compliant while continuing to engage consumers in a competitive marketplace. Upcoming Alcohol Labeling Changes
Sources:
https://www.brewersassociation.org/government-affairs-updates/ttb-proposes-sweeping-new-regulations/
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