National Beer Wholesalers: proposed regulation invites deceptive information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Michelle Semones or Erin Rutherford

800.300.6417

E-mail: Erin Rutherford

September 30, 2005

NBWA and more than 100 Members of Congress Tell TTB All Drinks are not Created Equal

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – More than 100 members of Congress have joined the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) in expressing their concerns to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) about a proposed rule that may allow deceptive and misleading information on alcohol beverage labels. Letters were sent to the TTB in response to a proposed rule put forward by the bureau that would allow alcohol beverage labels to include descriptions of alcohol content per “standard serving” accompanied by graphics suggesting that all types of alcohol are equal. The graphic falsely suggests that there is no difference between one shot of liquor, one bottle of beer or one glass of wine. The label is an attempt by the spirits industry to further its “equivalency” agenda, seeking to blur the lines between the different licensed beverages. In a letter, NBWA President David Rehr wrote, “Graphic equivalency logos and a ‘standard serving’ reference are deceptive and potentially dangerous to consumers.”

 

see full article at : http://www.nbwa.org/public/news_room/press_releases/pr_09_30_05.aspx