The TTB has been very active of late on the label front. We posted an article on the TTB's agreement to allow a voluntary "Nutrient Facts" label on wine and beer. The TTB announced that it was proposing formal regulations to place its agreement into the regulations. This decision came hot on the heals of TTB's much analyzed, some consider strict, social media determinations.
On June 10, TTB adopted new modifications to its alcohol labeling requirements for wines. These changes had been first proposed in 2007. TTB has now formally approved showing alcohol content on other bottle locations after years of requiring it to be on the front branding label.
Not only does this regulatory change conform the U.S. regulations to the World Wide Trade Group agreements, but it also makes it easier to use a Nutrient Fact label showing alcohol precentage on a Fact label. In its regulation adoption, TTB also provided that wines with alcohol levels lower than 14% need not show alcohol content if the words "light" or "table" wines are on the label. You can see the final rule making at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-06-10/pdf/2013-13601.pdf
The TTB is sending out a few different messages. It shows some flexibilty in this regulation , yet just affirmed a strict standard for social media. One thing is sure - TTB is making a lot of moves in labeling and marketing. We don't expect them to end now.
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