Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau November 3, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is considering amending the regulations concerning various winemaking terms commonly used on labels and in advertisements to provide consumers with information about the growing or bottling conditions of wine. We invite comments from industry members, consumers, and other interested parties as to whether and to what extent we should propose specific regulatory amendments for further public comment.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is proposing to revise its regulations to require the disclosure of the presence of cochineal extract and carmine on the labels of any alcohol beverage product containing one or both of these color additives. This proposed rule responds to a recent final rule issued by the Food and Drug Administration as well as reports of severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, to cochineal extract and carmine-containing foods. This proposal would allow consumers who are allergic to cochineal extract or carmine to identify and thus avoid alcohol beverage products that contain these color additives.