Nonbeverage Product Samples 

The Nonbeverage Products Laboratory consists of two sub-areas, Nonbeverage Drawback and Specially Denatured Alcohol.

Nonbeverage Drawback Alcohol

Nonbeverage drawback alcohol is pure alcohol, the same as that used for consumption. However, when a manufacturer uses that alcohol in the production of a food, flavor, medicine or perfume that is approved by the Nonbeverage Products Laboratory as unfit for beverage purposes, he or she can claim a return on most of the distilled spirits excise tax paid.

Process:

• Obtain a tax stamp from TTB’s National Revenue Center (NRC)
• Complete Packet Form 5154.1 Formula and Process for Nonbeverage Product
• Submit a composition of the product and 4 ounce sample of the finished product to:
  
        Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
        Nonbeverage Products Laboratory
        6000 Ammendale Road
        Ammendale, MD 20705-1250
  
  
• The approval process takes up to three weeks
• Upon approval the manufacturer may file a claim with the NRC to drawback the excise tax.

Using Flavors in Alcohol Beverages:

• The manufacturer must provide information to the alcohol beverage manufacturer on any U.S. Food and Drug Administration limited ingredients and  TTB limited ingredients.
• The manufacturer may download and use the Flavored Ingredient Data Sheet (FIDS) to disclose those ingredients that are limited or would affect the labeling of the alcohol beverage (e.g., FD&C Yellow #5)
• The manufacturer must submit TTB Form 5154.1 to the Nonbeverage Products Laboratory (NPL) when selling flavors to producers of alcohol beverages, regardless of whether those flavors contain alcohol, disclosing the composition of the flavor.

Specially Denatured Alcohol (SDA)

SDA is alcohol to which denaturing materials have been added. Title 27 Code of Federal Regulations Part 21 lists all the SDA formulas authorized by TTB. Manufacturers may use SDA in the manufacture of any product that is not intended for consumption. Generally, SDA is used in cosmetic products but its use extends to pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing and products where SDA is the solvent or reactant.

Process for Using SDA:

• Obtain a permit from the National Revenue Center at 513-684-3335 to purchase SDA from a distilled spirits plant.
• Complete permit application Form 5150.19 Formula and/or Process for Article Made with Specially Denatured Spirits.
• Submit completed form, along with a 4-ounce sample of the finished product to:
  
        Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
        Nonbeverage Products Laboratory
        6000 Ammendale Road
        Ammendale, MD 20705-1250
  
  
• Approval process takes approximately three weeks.
• The formula must be approved prior to manufacture.