Overview: A recent study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest indicates significant gaps in nutritional and ingredient transparency within the United States spirits market. While voluntary initiatives have been adopted by some Distilled Spirits Council members, data from 2021 shows that only 12% of spirits brands applied the voluntary Serving Facts label.
The Full Story
Researchers Eva Greenthal, Sarah Sorscher, and Aviva Musicus examined product labels from the top 150 beer, 150 spirits, and 150 wine brands sold in the United States. The analysis found that not a single wine brand applied the federal government’s voluntary Serving Facts label, while only 12% of spirits brands did so. Furthermore, zero percent of spirits brands provided full ingredient lists on their labels.
This lack of information contrasts with food products regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, whereas alcohol labeling falls under the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. A 2024 nationally representative poll found that the majority of U.S. adults who drink alcohol want more information on alcohol labels. The study demonstrates that voluntary labeling initiatives are often ineffective at adequately promoting transparency.
Brand & Industry History
The regulatory landscape for alcohol labeling began with a 2003 petition from CSPI seeking mandatory disclosure similar to non-alcoholic beverages. Following this petition, the Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau established a voluntary label in 2013. In 2016, major beer companies joined the Beer Institute’s Brewers’ Voluntary Disclosure Initiative, committing to provide serving facts by the end of 2020. However, compliance remained low among these signatories. In 2022, members of the Distilled Spirits Council committed to providing voluntary serving facts information for spirits products by 2024 following a lawsuit by CSPI and other consumer groups.
What This Means
The study demonstrates that voluntary labeling initiatives are often ineffective at adequately promoting transparency. Following the 2022 lawsuit, the TTB committed to initiate new rulemakings regarding alcohol/nutritional content labeling and allergen labeling. Proposed rules on nutrition and allergen labeling were issued in January 2025, though ingredient labeling proposals have been delayed. The Trump Administration’s 2026 Unified Agenda indicates all three rules will be released in March 2027.
Consumer Takeaway
This release highlights the current state of bottle information available to drinkers versus what is expected under upcoming federal mandates. Consumers must rely on voluntary disclosures until mandatory alcohol labeling rules are finalized and published by the TTB.
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