TTB announces virtual listening sessions on per-serving alcohol and nutritional information, major food allergens, and/or ingredients labeling on alcohol beverages

[Erik Owens]

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is announcing virtual listening sessions to receive input from the public on labeling of wine, distilled spirits, and malt beverages to disclose per-serving alcohol and nutritional information, major food allergens, and/or ingredients.  The Department of the Treasury’s February 2022 report on “Competition in the Markets for Beer, Wine, and Spirits” recommended that TTB revive or initiate rulemaking in these areas.  Further, in April 2023, the President signed Executive Order 14094, “Modernizing Regulatory Review,” encouraging agencies to provide opportunities for public participation in regulatory actions. The Office of Management and Budget’s guidance for implementing EO 14094 encourages Federal agencies to solicit comments in non-written formats, such as live webinars or audio recordings, to encourage participation from members of the public who might not otherwise participate in the regulatory process and to use virtual listening sessions to reach people who may be unable to attend in-person sessions.  These listening sessions are intended to engage the public, including consumers, public health stakeholders, and industry members of all sizes, and facilitate the public’s ability to provide input to inform rulemaking. 

The notice setting forth the dates and times of the virtual listening sessions, instructions for registration, and a docket for submitting written comments will publish tomorrow (January 31, 2024) in the Federal Register. 

A pre-publication copy is available to the public today on the Federal Register’s Public Inspection page.