Basic requirements for alcoholic beverage labeling by country
The following table analyzes the information necessary for product labeling. The goal of this table is to provide a General Guide and the information is subject to change without notice
| COUNTRIES | BASIC LABELING REQUIREMENTS | LABELING OF INGREDIENTS, ADDITIVES, ALLERGENS, NUTRIENTS, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS | BIBLIOGRAPHY |
| South Africa |
- Product name |
43 % Alc. Vol. IS THE SAME RANGE OF ALCOHOLIC |
Department of Health: |
| COUNTRIES | BASIC LABELING REQUIREMENTS | LABELING OF INGREDIENTS, ADDITIVES, ALLERGENS, NUTRIENTS, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS | BIBLIOGRAPHY |
| United States |
- Product brand - Class or type of product - Alcohol content expressed in alcohol volume percentage - Name and address of bottler o importer, as the case may be - Net content - Country of origin of imported products - Presence of colorants - Wood treatment, if any - Cargo manifest - Age statement, if necessary (per Type of spirits) - The net content must always be expressed in metric units and must be bottled in containers with 1.75 l 1 l, 750 ml, 375 ml, and 200 ml, 100ml and 50 ml figures, |
Methanol 0,35 % limit in Volume sample 696,5 mg/100 ml AA IS THE SAME RANGE OF ALCOHOLIC |
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB):
http://www.ttb.gov what-you-should-know-about-ds-labels |
| Canada |
These products must comply with the labeling and composition requirements set forth in division 2 of the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR). Note: We suggest you review provincial legislation, as it may vary. - Common names are defined in B.01.001 and required by B.01.006 of the FDR - Company name and address - Net quantity in metric units - Alcohol content per volume: - All alcoholic beverages containing 1,1% or more alcohol per volume, must include the alcohol content amount in the product´s alcohol content statement. It must be shown as "X% alcohol per volume" or abbreviated "alc. X% / vol." [B.02.003]. The periods must follow the abbreviations - Country of origin |
- In the province of Quebec the maximum allow copper is 1 mg / L of copper 43 % Alc. Vol. IS THE SAME RANGE OF ALCOHOLIC |
Canadian Food Inspection Agency: |
| Belize | - Food or beverage Name - Name and address of producer - Net content weight and volume - Country of origin - Lot / lot identification number - Marketing date - Storage instructions |
- List of ingredients in descending order - 40 % Alc. Vol. - The rules of Mexico only allows 55% Vol A maximum. |
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| Brazil | - Product name - Beverage type (for example, wine or beer) - Importer name and contact information, as the case may be - Company identification number - Country of origin - Alcohol content - Usable Volume (in metric units) - Production date |
- List of food additives - Ingredient statement - In Brazil there is a limit of up to 54% |
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA): National Advertising Regulatory Council (Conselho Nacional de Auto-Regulamentação Publicitária, CONAR): |
| Chile | - Product Name and description - Bottler name and address - Country of origin - Alcohol content - Name and address of distributor - Usable volume |
- List of ingredients only required for mixed beverages (that is, multiple ingredients) - 40 % Alc. Vol. - The rules of Mexico only allows 55% Vol A maximum. |
Ministry of Agriculture |
| Colombia | Sanitary record number (issued by INVIMA) - Lot production number - Alcohol content - Net content (metric units only) |
- 40 % Alc. Vol. -The rules of Mexico only allows 55% Vol A maximum. |
National Institute for the Surveillance of Food and Medicine (Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos and Alimentos, INVIMA): Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ministerio de Agricultura and Desarollo Rural): |
| Costa Rica | - Net content in units (for example, liters) - name and address of producer - Bottling - distributor or importer - Country of origin - Lot ID must be shown on each container, either in writing in clear language or in a code - Expiration date (for alcoholic beverages with alcohol content below 10% per volume) - Instructions for use - Sanitary record number - alcohol percentage |
Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud): Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Commerce – oversees the National Labeling Office |
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| Dominican Republic | - product name - Net weight in volume - Name and address of producer, wholesaler, importer, exporter or distributor - Country of origin - Lot ID -Minimum expiration date and storage instructions, as the case may be Listen Read phonetically Dictionary - See detailed dictionary |
Dirección General de Normas and Sistemas de Calidad: (Standards and Quality Systems Directorate) |
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| Guatemala | - Product name - Product description - Physical characteristics (including ingredients) - Net weight / volume - Name, address and telephone number of distributor - Expiration Date (if applicable) |
- Ingredient content on labels of distilled and prepared alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails, crèmes and liqueurs. |
Organismo Internacional Regional de Comisión Guatemalteca de Normas (Guatemala Standards Commission (COGUANOR): |
| Perú | - Name and address of producer - Name del importer, address and telephone number, as the case may be - Sanitary record information number - Net weight or content volume - Production and expiration date - Special use or storage instructions, as the case may be - Country of origin |
| COUNTRIES | BASIC LABELING REQUIREMENTS | LABELING OF INGREDIENTS, ADDITIVES, ALLERGENS, NUTRIENTS, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS | BIBLIOGRAPHY |
| Japan |
Labels must include the following information: - Ingredients and additives (in order of percentage share in content) - Alcohol percentage content (ethyl alcohol percentage at 15 degrees Centigrade) - The bottles’ Alcohol content and volume must be expressed in liters or milliliters - Production and/or import date - Importer Name and address - Country or region of origin - Conservation/storage method - Mention the word “imported” - Net weight in metric units only - Special use, storage or preparation instructions (as established by the Health, Labor and Social Welfare Ministry) |
- Japanese regulations accept up to 1mg/cubic cm, equivalent to 1mg/ml of the alcoholic beverage sample. In terms of the NOM 006 Mexican standard, this is equivalent to a maximum limit of 250 mg/100 ml AA (in a sample at 40% Alc. Vol.), as in the NOM 006 up to 300 mg/ 100 ml AA are allowed; thus, this is still slightly lower than what is allowed by the NOM 006. |
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| South Korea |
- Product name - Country of origin - Product type - Name and address of importer - Importer business license number - Bottling date - Product Alcohol percentage and volume - An allowance of de ± 0,5% with respect to the precise alcohol content - Place where the product can be exchanged or returned if defective - Distribution method, must specify one of these three: |
1 mg/ml of Methanol, 250 mg/100mL AA, Aldehyde limit: 175 mg/100 ml AA (In a sample of 40 % Alc. Vol.) |
Korean Food and Drug Administration: www.kfda.go.kr |
| Turkey |
- Product Name and brand - Manufacturing company Name and address - Importing company Name and address - Country of origin - Net weight or volume - Import license number and date issued by Agricultural Production Ministry - Special use, preparation or storage instructions - Special notices/warning, if any - Alcohol content expressed in percentage (if product contains more than 1.2 alcohol percentage) |
General Directorate of Protection and Control (Koruma ve Kontrol Genel Müdürlüğü): www.kkgm.gov.tr |
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| Israel |
51 g/hl AA (In effect) 30 g/hl AA (Draft) Limit 50 mg/100 ml AA 30 mg/100 ml AA (Draft) 300 g/hl AA required |
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| Dubai |
- Name, corporate name or product description - Net weight and gross weight - Lot Date, including products useful life and / or expiration dates - Special storage or use instructions - Bar codes (if applicable) issued by EAN (European Article Numbering) in New Delhi - Retail market Price, including taxes, fees, transportation - Distinctive lot, lot or code number - Month and year in which product was produced or bottled - Vegetarian food must show a symbol with a solid green circle within a square with a green border clearly visible on container, contrasting with background on main panel. It must be close to the food product’s name or brand |
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| Singapore |
- Product name - Name and address of producer, importer, bottler and distributor - Country of origin - Minimum shelf-life dates labeled (Expiration date) |
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| China | - Alcohol grade at 20 ° C: - Pure alcohol percentage in total volume or mass (expressed as "alcohol % X") - Content extract (for example, malt or from fruit) - Name and address of producer and distributor - Production date and storage Instructions - Wine and other alcoholic beverages with an alcohol grade above 10% in volume are exempt - Net content - Label dates must include bottling date as well as expiration information. - Recommended Information on content: - Includes lot number, method of consumption and Product type (for example, dry / sweet, sugar content, aroma, spirits flavor) Listen Read phonetically Dictionary - See detailed dictionary |
- Nutritional and calorie labeling is voluntary but must comply with general food product standards - Methanol limit 200 mg/100 ml AA |
USDA GAIN Report, GB-10344 China - Labeling Prepackaged Alcoholic Beverages: www.fas.usda.gov General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine: english.aqsiq.gov.cn |
| Hong Kong | - Product name - Name and address of producer or bottler - Product amount, weight and volume - Include the text "consume preferably before" or "expiration date”: - Shelf life must be provided for beverages with an alcohol grade above 1,2% but below 10% - Special use or storage instructions if necessary These labeling requirements are mandatory for alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content below 10% (except for the shelf life requirement). Wines or other beverages with an alcohol content above 10% are also exempt, except for a list of ingredients, which if present, must comply with the norms Labels can be in English, Chinese or both languages, nevertheless at least the name and list of ingredients must be in both languages. Listen Read phonetically Dictionary - See detailed dictionary |
- The ingredients must be numbered in descending order according to weight or volume in metric units - Allergenic substances must be declared, especially those that are common allergens: cereals containing gluten; tree, crustaceans, and products derived from crustaceans, eggs and egg products, fish and sea products, peanuts, soy and its derivatives, milk and dairy products, including lactose, dry fruits and nuts and derivatives, sulfites when produced at a concentration of 10 ppm or above |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department: www.afcd.gov.hk/ Food and Environmental Hygiene Department: www.fehd.gov.hk/ Centre for Food Safety: www.cfs.gov.hk |
| India | - Product Name, corporate name and description - Net weight and gross weight - Production date, including product shelf life and / or expiration dates - Special storage or use instructions - Bar codes (if applicable) issued by EAN (European Article Numbering) in New Delhi - Retail price, including taxes, fees, shipment - Distinctive lot, lot or code number - - Month and year in which product was produced or bottled - Vegetarian food must show a symbol with a solid green circle within a square with a green border clearly visible on container, contrasting with background on main panel. It must be close to the food product’s name or brand |
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Directorate General for Foreign Trade: dgft.delhi.nic.in/ National Government portal: http://india.gov.in/ |
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| The Phillipines | - Product name - Net content - Name and address of producer / bottler or distributor, including imported products’ Country of origin - Name and address of Philippine importer / distributor - Percentage Grade in volume - Lot ID |
Bureau of Food and Drugs, Department of Health: www.bfad.gov.ph |
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| Russia | - Product name and type of beverage - Name and address of producer - Brands, as the case may be - Expiration date, bottling date - Alcohol content in volume - Special storage instructions - Reference to document proving compliance with applicable regulations |
Federal Service for Consumer Rights and Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and Social Development: www.gsen.ru All-Russian Research Institute for Certification (VNIIS): www.vniis.ru |
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| Singapore | - Product name - Name and address of producer, importer, bottler and distributor - Country of origin - Minimum shelf life (Expiration date) |
Agrifood & Veterinary Authority (AVA): |
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| Taiwán | - Product name - Product type - alcohol content (in grades, %, % en volume, o% per volume). - Country of origin of imported products - Names and address of producer and importer - Volume in metric units Producers of wine and alcoholic beverages, or importers may include years, ageing or geographic indication on label - Date marking, bottling date and expiration date |
Bureau of Food Safety, National Treasury Agency: |
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| Thailand |
- Alcohol grade in grades and percentage
Switzerland- Quantity or volume - Name and address of warehouse, factory or importer - Product registration symbol, as the case may be Listen Read phonetically Dictionary - See detailed dictionary name |
Food & Drug Administration, |
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| Turkey |
- Product Name and brand - years |
All labels must include a list of ingredients and additives, for wines this must include ingredient concentrations Listen Read phonetically Dictionary - See detailed dictionary name Switzerland |
General Directorate of Protection and Control (Koruma ve Kontrol Genel Müdürlüğü): |
| COUNTRIES | BASIC LABELING REQUIREMENTS | LABELING OF INGREDIENTS, ADDITIVES, ALLERGENS, NUTRIENTS, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS | BIBLIOGRAPHY |
| Australia |
- Name - Lot Number - Name and address of supplier - Production Date (if shelf life is less than two years) - Use and storage Instructions - Allergen information - Alcohol per volume declaration: - Country of rigin |
- Alcoholic beverages: beer, wine and fruit wines, and spirits are exempt from including nutritional information panels, list of ingredients, labeling and percentage of ingredients - Allergens: The new general food labeling provisions of the Food Standards (Volume Two) require a mandatory declaration of allergenic additive substances and production aids containing eggs or egg products, casonate and potassium casonate, milk or dairy products, fish or sea products, dry fruits or nuts, sulfites in concentrations of 10 mg / Kg. or above and some other substances, these shall be declared if, as the case may be, they could remain in the final product (see Allergen labeling- Mandatory declaration). New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA): Australia-New Zealand Food Standards Code: |
Australia-New Zealand Food Standards Code: Part 2.7 of the Food Standards Code (ANZFSC) lists the requirements for alcohol beverages |
| New Zealand | - Name of beverage type (for example, wine, beer and liquors) - Product name - Name and address of supplier or producer in New Zealand or Australia - Alcohol content in volume declaration - Net content: - Must be shown on front label and be at least 3,3 mm high - Standard measurement of beverage in total containers (see Standard 2.7.1 for additional information) - Country of origin - Production date if shelf life is less than two years - Special use or storage instructions, if lack thereof could have harmful consequences on health - An alcoholic beverage containing over 1,15% alcohol per volume must not be described as "beverage with low alcohol content" . - Labels of containers with more than 0,5% alcohol volume cannot include the words "not toxic" or similar terms. - Food products containing alcohol must not be "described in a manner that expressly or implicitly suggests that the product is a sweet or candy without alcohol or a beverage without alcohol" |
- Allergens contained in product (for example, eggs, milk, fish, nuts etc.) must be identified
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New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA): Australia-New Zealand Food Standards Code: |
| COUNTRIES | BASIC LABELING REQUIREMENTS | LABELING OF INGREDIENTS, ADDITIVES, ALLERGENS, NUTRIENTS, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS | BIBLIOGRAPHY |
| European Union |
Labels must include the following information: - Brand or name, cannot be substituted for generic name but can also appear on label - Net amount of beverage must be expressed in metric units (for example, one liter, one centiliter, milliliter). From 100 ml to 2000 ml, only the following nine nominal amounts are allowed: ml:100 — 200 — 350 — 500 — 700 — 1 000 — 1 500 — 1 750 — 2 000 - Labeling of beverages containing over 1,2% in alcohol volume must state acquired volume alcohol grade, that is, it must show the words "alcohol" or the abbreviation "alc", followed by the symbol "% vol." - Name or corporate name and address of producer, bottler or importer established in the EU - Place of origin or provenance - Lot marked on beverages in previous containers with the inscription preceded by the letter "L" - Alcoholic beverages, beer, wine, spirits, are exempt from including nutritional information panels and ingredients list |
- Pre-packaged food products must comply with mandatory harmonized laws on labeling and advertising: - Data to be shown on containers includes name under which product is sold, possible allergens, minimum shelf life date and storage conditions (http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l21090.htm ) - In order to better inform the consumers suffering from food allergies, the EU directives have established guidelines for mandatory labeling of a variety of potentially allergenic substances contained in food products. Spirits are exempt (see Directives 2007/68/CE, 2005/26/CE and 2000/13/CE) Specifically for labeled wine: - If the wine contains more than 10 mg per liter of SO2, the label must state "contains sulfur dioxide" or "contains sulfites" |
http://icap.org http://eur-lex.europa.eu http://eur-lex.europa.eu |
| Switzerland | - Product name - Name and address of producer and importer as the case may be - Product designation - Geographic indication (only for wines) - Alcohol grade - Volume (only in metric quantities) - Country of origin - Net content - Lot identification number (only for spirits) - Special use or storage instructions, as the case may be Listen Read phonetically Dictionary - See detailed dictionary name Switzerland |
Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture: |