Discussed and expected for years, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is initiating the process that could end with rules requiring breweries to include nutritional info on all their cans and bottles. While it may take a few years for changes to go into effect, what’s happening now is an opportunity to let the agency know how any new requirements might affect your brewery.
The TTB held two virtual listening sessions on February 28 and 29, and groups from the beer, wine, and spirits industries joined a few nonprofits and consumer advocates to submit their public comments. Those representing brewers included the Brewers Association, the Beer Institute, and the North Dakota Brewers Guild. However, the agency is continuing to accept public comments until March 29—though it could opt to extend that period.
Essentially, the TTB is considering whether to require the same nutritional information on alcoholic drinks that the Food and Drug Administration requires on other foods and beverages—calories, carbs, fat, protein, and so on. So far, 60 individuals and businesses have submitted their views, including several small wineries and breweries. Broadly, they argue that any new requirements would be too much of a burden on their businesses.