The Mandatory Government Warning
The Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act (ABLA) mandates that every container of alcoholic beverage sold or distributed in the United States must bear a specific health warning statement. This applies to any beverage containing 0.5% or more alcohol by volume.
The text must state exactly: 'GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.' No deviations in punctuation or wording are allowed.
Formatting Rules for the Warning Statement
The TTB is extremely specific about how the warning is presented. The words 'GOVERNMENT WARNING' must appear in capital letters and in bold type. The remainder of the warning must not be bolded. The statement must be completely separate and apart from all other text on the label.
Furthermore, the font size is dictated by the volume of the container. For containers larger than 3 liters, the type must be at least 3 millimeters. For containers between 8 fl oz and 3 liters, the minimum is 2 millimeters. For containers under 8 fl oz, the minimum is 1 millimeter.
- Words 'GOVERNMENT WARNING' must be bold and capitalized.
- Maximum number of characters per inch applies based on font size.
- Must contrast heavily with the background for legibility.
Sulfite Declarations for Wine and Cider
For wines, ciders, and other beverages regulated under the Federal Alcohol Administration (FAA) Act, a sulfite declaration is mandatory if the total sulfur dioxide (SO2) content is 10 parts per million (ppm) or more.
The label must clearly state 'Contains sulfites' or 'Contains (a) sulfiting agent(s)'. This is a critical health declaration for consumers with severe sulfite sensitivities.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV) Statements
Declaring the alcohol content is mandatory for spirits and most wines, and is regulated at the state level (though often following TTB guidelines) for malt beverages. The statement must reflect the percentage of alcohol by volume, formatted typically as 'ALC. __% BY VOL.'
The TTB allows specific tolerance limits between the stated ABV on the label and the actual ABV measured in the laboratory. For example, wines typically have a tolerance of ±1.5% depending on their tax class, while spirits have much stricter margins.
Frequently asked questions
Does the TTB Government Warning need to be on the front label?
No, the warning can appear on the front, back, or side label, provided it is separate and apart from other text and clearly legible.
Do I have to declare sulfites if my wine has less than 10 ppm?
If laboratory testing proves the sulfite level is strictly under 10 parts per million, you are not required to include the sulfite declaration.
Can I change the wording of the Government Warning?
Absolutely not. The wording, punctuation, and capitalization must exactly match the TTB's federally mandated text.
What is a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA)?
A COLA is an authorization from the TTB allowing you to bottle and sell your alcoholic beverage, confirming your label meets federal regulatory standards.