Formula and Label Approval with Lab Sample Analysis / Consumer Complaints / Beverage Alcohol Laboratory / Compliance Laboratory
Formula and Label Approval with Lab Sample Analysis
For additional information on formulas with lab sample analysis click here.
All wines for sale in the United States that contain 10 or more parts per million (ppm) sulfur dioxide must bear a label stating "Contains Sulfites" (27 CFR 4.32(e)). This labeling requirement allows those people who may have an allergic reaction to sulfur dioxide to be aware of its presence in wines.
The Food and Drug Administration has determined that products that contain less than 10 ppm of sulfites (such as sulfur dioxide) do not have to include this declaration on the label or they can label the product with the statement "contains less than 10 ppm sulfites." These wines require a sulfur dioxide waiver for such labeling.
For sulfite waivers, the winemaker must have proof of sample analysis from the Beverage Alcohol Laboratory for imported products or from the Compliance Laboratory for domestic products. You must submit a TTB laboratory report along with the application for label approval.
Consumer Complaints
Occasionally, consumers in the United States bring alcohol beverage complaints to the attention of TTB. These complaints generally involve the quality of the products, such as spoilage, unusual taste, low alcohol, and the presence of foreign objects. The Beverage Alcohol Laboratory, upon receiving these suspect samples, conducts scientific investigation and reports the results to the Consumer Complaint Coordinator at TTB Headquarters. In cases where complaints involve suspected product-tampering or other criminal activities, the samples are referred to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for testing and criminal investigation.
A consumer may contact TTB to report a complaint. A TTB investigator interviews the complainant, collects pertinent suspect samples and controls, and sends the material to the Beverage Alcohol Laboratory for analysis. Get more information about filing a complaint.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)