US: Allergen listing compulsory on drinks? - report

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 31 July 2006

US authorities are seeking to broaden the labelling of common allergens on alcoholic drinks, according to reports.

The Associated Press said late last week that the move was an attempt to mirror food labelling requirements in the US.

The US Treasury Department has said that it will accept comments between now and 25 September before making the listing requirement on drinks mandatory. The news service said that two notices published on Wednesday (26 July) in the Federal Register said that producers, bottlers and importers already may voluntarily list any allergens.

The listing would need to include ingredients one would not normally expect to find in wine, distilled spirits or malt-based drinks such as beer. Fish, shellfish, milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts and soybeans would have to be listed.

At the same time, AP said, the rules would also apply to ingredients that contain proteins derived from the list of allergens - fish protein, for example, is often used to clarify wine or beer before bottling.

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