TTB Newsletter: March 5, 2010

In the TTB Newsletter, we compile the top TTB news of the week and other helpful information about the Bureau and the Federal alcohol and tobacco laws and regulations we enforce.

Please send any questions and/or comments to Executive Liaison for Industry Matters (industryliaison@ttb.gov) and/or State Liaison (stateliaison@ttb.gov).

TTB Newsletter Archives

TTB DEFERS REVIEW OF ALCOHOL BEVERAGE FORMULAS FOR PRODUCTS CONTAINING ADDED VITAMINS AND OTHER NUTRIENTS

TTB has received many inquiries from industry members about the addition of vitamins and other nutrients, directly or indirectly through a flavor, to alcohol beverages. The issue of whether or not ingredients added to alcohol beverages are generally recognized as safe (GRAS), falls within the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Because of uncertainty as to how FDA regulations would apply to such products and the need for TTB to provide clear guidance on this issue to the alcohol beverage industry, we believe it is important to work with FDA on this matter so that TTB can establish clear and appropriate guidance on this issue. As a consequence of this uncertainty, TTB has determined to temporarily suspend consideration of such requests while we work to develop the appropriate guidance.

TTB ANNOUNCES THE 2010 WINE SEMINARS

TTB is presenting a series of one-day seminars on Federal regulations and compliance training for the wine industry. The April seminars will be held in California and the May seminars will be held in Oregon and Washington. Admission is free, but online registration is required and seating is limited. Registration is now open for the California seminars. Continue to watch our site at www.ttb.gov for registration on other seminars.

April 6 - Arroyo Grande, CA - South County Regional Center - 800 W. Branch Street

April 12 - Santa Rosa, CA - Hilton Sonoma Wine Country - 3555 Round Barn Boulevard

April 13 - Santa Rosa, CA - Hilton Sonoma Wine Country - 3555 Round Barn Boulevard

May 11 - McMinnville, OR, Parks & Recreation - Community Center - Room 103 - 600 NE Evans Street

May 12 - McMinnville, OR, Parks & Recreation - Community Center - Room 103 - 600 NE Evans Street

May 18 - Kennewick, WA - Three Rivers Convention Center - 7016 W Grandridge Boulevard

May 20 - Leavenworth, WA - Best Western - Icicle Village Resort - Ballroom - 505 Highway 2

Morning: State regulations, changes after qualification, alterations, custom crush, taxes
Afternoon: Labeling, recordkeeping and reports, current issues

WORLD WINE TRADE GROUP

The United States is a participant in the World Wine Trade Group, an informal grouping of government and industry representatives from these wine producing countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, the United States, and South Africa.

The Group, which was founded in 1998, aims to share information and collaborate on a variety of international issues and endeavors to create new opportunities for wine trade.

The participants share the responsibility of chairing the Group, with the position rotating on an annual basis. As of January 2010, South Africa is chairing the Group. Argentina will take the position next.

The Mutual Acceptance Agreement on Oenological Practices (MAA) was signed in Toronto, Canada in December 2001 by the United States and Canada. Argentina became a signatory in December 2002. By 2005, all WWTG participants had ratified the MAA with the exception of South Africa. The MAA seeks to facilitate trade in wine by acknowledging differences in oenological practices and ensuring that wine is allowed to be sold in all signatory countries' markets despite these differences. At the same time, it places an emphasis on compliance with the World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations to protect the health and safety of consumers and to prevent deception of consumers.

After completion of the Agreement on Oenological Practices, the Group turned its attention to labeling issues. The Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labeling was initialed on September 20, 2006 and signed on January 23, 2007 in Canberra, Australia, by all participants with the exception of South Africa. With this Agreement, which harmonizes some common labeling requirements, the WWTG seeks to minimize unnecessary trade barriers, and thereby facilitate international trade in wine.

As another wine producing country, Georgia indicated its interest in joining the WWTG, and began the accession process in 2008. The country has submitted its laws and regulations on winemaking practices and labeling for review by the Group. The WWTG looks forward to South Africa and the Republic of Georgia signing on to the two agreements. The WWTG continues its outreach to other wine producing countries.

STEPHEN LARSON NAMED THE NEW ADMINISTRATOR OF THE IOWA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES DIVISION

Governor Chet Culver has appointed Stephen Larson, most recently Deputy Treasurer, to the post effective May 1. Larson replaces Lynn Walding, who has served since 2000.