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ALFD

Alcohol Beverages Labeled with Organic Claims


In 2000, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) finalized the regulations relating to the National Organic Program at 7 CFR Part 205. These rules provide new standards for the production, handling, processing, labeling and marketing of products labeled with organic claims. While these rules were not written or implemented by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), they do apply to alcohol beverages. For this reason, TTB has worked closely with the USDA to ensure that the alcohol beverage industry has been provided with current and accurate information regarding organic claims on labels. This web site and the resources catalogued within are designed to provide you with the most up-to-date information on organic claims on alcohol beverage labels.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING "INGREDIENT STATEMENTS"

When the National Organic Program (NOP) was first implemented, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) required all products making an organic claim to be labeled with an ingredient statement. In July of 2003, however, USDA reinterpreted its regulations, subsequently eliminating the requirement of an ingredient statement on alcohol beverages intending to be labeled in accordance with the rules of the NOP. A brief summary detailing the background of this decision may be located at www.ttb.gov/nprm_comments/9540009.rtf. The content of this website will be updated as new information is available to reflect this change. Should you need additional guidance before that time, please contact the Advertising, Labeling and Formulation Division at 1-866-927-ALFD.

Industry Notices

Labeling Applicants Certified Under the National Organic Program (NOP) (5/23/05)
Labeling Applicants For Non-Certified Organic Alcohol Beverages (5/23/05)
Labeling Applicants Certified by a USDA-accredited Certifying Agent (ACA) (5/23/05)

General Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Sample Organic Labels
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the United States Department of Agriculture recently finalized sample labels that comply with the National Organic Program.

Labeling Alcohol Beverage Containers Chart

On July 29, 2002, the Advertising, Labeling and Formulation Division mailed out information regarding the National Organic Program (NOP) to those industry members whom we know to hold certificates of label approval for organic products. The Labeling Alcohol Beverage Containers chart provides the industry with guidelines on how to make their products comply with the NOP.

Public Documents

The National Organic Program (NOP) is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service, a division of the United States Department of Agriculture. The NOP regulations, found at 7 CFR Part 205, govern the production, processing, handling, labeling and marketing of organic products.

Read ATF Notice 954 regarding ATF's intention to amend the alcohol labeling and marketing rules to cross-reference the United States Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program rules.

On August 6, 2002 ATF and the United States Department of Agriculture entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. This document seeks to clarify and delineate the enforcement responsibilities of each agency with regard to the review of alcohol beverages making an organic claim.

The following links provide information on the NOP and a list of accredited certifying agents.  

TTB Industry Correspondence

Read ATF's Letter dated April 29, 2003 that announces procedures that should be followed when an applicant utilizes COLAs Online to submit a label that contains an organic claim.

Read ATF's Letter dated September 18, 2002 that announces a ruling by the United States Department of Agriculture regarding the implementation timetable for the National Organic Program. This letter also outlines procedures allowing most holders of organic Certificates of Label Approval (COLAs) to get a one-year extension on their previously approved certificates.

Read ATF's letter dated July 29, 2002 regarding the implementation of the National Organic Program.

Your Organic Contacts in the Federal Government

For Questions related specifically to the National Organic Program regulations, please contact:

United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service
(202) 720-3252
www.ams.usda.gov/nop