LABELING OF MALT BEVERAGES FOR SALE IN NORTH DAKOTA

Brewers, and others concerned:

Purpose. The purpose of this Circular is to inform brewers that the laws of the State of North Dakota have been amended to eliminate the requirement that an alcoholic content statement must appear on the labels of malt beverages sold in that State.

Background. The laws of the State of North Dakota previously required all malt beverages to be labeled to show the alcoholic content. Effective July 1, 1967, however, the laws of that State were amended to delete this requirement.

The Federal Alcohol Administration Act [27 U.S.C. 205(e)] and Section 7.26 of 27 CFR Part 7 provide that the alcoholic content of malt beverages shall not be stated on labels unless required by state law. Accordingly, since the laws of the State of North Dakota no longer require an alcoholic content statement, alcoholic content statements are prohibited by Federal law and regulations on labels of malt beverages shipped into that State.

Conclusion. In order to permit an orderly transition to new labels, present stocks of labels for malt beverages bearing alcoholic content statements in the manner previously required under North Dakota law may be used on containers shipped into North Dakota until September 1, 1968. After such date, statements of alcoholic content will not be permitted on labels affixed to containers filled for shipment into the State of North Dakota.

Inquiries. Correspondence in regard to this industry circular should refer to its number and be addressed to the Director, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax (CP:AT:B), Washington, D. C., 20224.

Harold A. Serr

Director, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Division