Wine Not?

Why doesn’t wine have a "Nutrition Facts" food label?


Here’s the deal:

The Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the US Department of the Treasury oversees the Federal Alcohol Association Act (FAA Act) which, in addition to other things, ensures that labeling and advertising of alcohol beverages provide adequate information to the consumer concerning the identity and quality of the products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a branch of the US Department of Health and Human Services - their mission is to protect and promote the public’s health as it relates to food and drugs. They oversee the labeling requirements for foods under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act and its amendments (food labeling is required for most prepared foods, such as breads, cereals, canned and frozen foods, snacks, desserts, drinks, etc. - nutrition labeling for raw produce, like fruits and vegetables, and fish is voluntary).

Of course, there's always that pesky grey area...a policy issued by the FDA in October of 1980 (revised in August of 1996) attempted to better define said grey area:

BACKGROUND:

The FDA has received inquires concerning which federal agency has jurisdiction over the labeling of diluted wines and ciders. These questions concern such beverages which contain less than 7% alcohol by volume.

Alcoholic beverages subject to or complying with packaging or labeling requirements imposed by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, 27 U.S.C. 201 et seq. (FAA Act), administered by the Treasury Department, are exempt from the requirements of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (Sec. 10(a)(4)). Wine is defined by the FAA Act as having 7% or more of alcohol by volume. The above mentioned products with less than 7% alcohol are not defined in this Act, or subject to the packaging and labeling requirements of this Act. Thus, their packaging and labeling is subject to requirements of both the FD&C Act and the FP&L Act.

POLICY:

Beverages such as diluted wine and cider, which have an alcohol content of less than 7% by volume and are not defined in the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, are subject to the labeling requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and Fair Packaging and Labeling Act as expressed in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

So. When you buy a wine cooler, it will be adorned with a “Nutrition Facts” label......when you buy a bottle of wine, it won’t.