Labelling for Alcoholic Beverages (USA), live online tutor-led training course

Labelling requirements for alcoholic beverages in the United States are inherently complex, with multiple layers of federal rules governing mandatory information, claims, classifications, and the way products are described and presented. For businesses operating in this space, navigating these requirements can be challenging, particularly given the detailed standards of identity, formulation-driven disclosures, and strict expectations around label approval.

Adding to this complexity is the fact that, most alcoholic beverages fall outside mainstream food labelling, and are regulated not by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). This creates a distinct federal framework with its own terminology, processes, and compliance considerations.

This course is designed to give delegates a top-line overview of the federal labelling principles that apply to TTB-regulated alcoholic beverages, followed by a deeper look at the specific requirements governing wines, distilled spirits, and malt beverages.

Who will benefit from attending this course:

• Businesses or employees new to the labelling of alcoholic beverages who need a comprehensive introduction to generating compliant U.S. labels.
• Employees or businesses seeking to refresh or update their knowledge of federal alcoholic beverage labelling rules.
• Businesses or employees of businesses expanding into new alcoholic beverage categories, including wine- or spirit-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages.

The  course will be delivered live online over the course of a morning (0900 - 1300), participants will be sent log in details for a Microsoft Teams session.

The course will provide the essential elements of U.S. federal labelling requirements for alcoholic beverages regulated by TTB, including current developments affecting disclosures, claims, and formulation-based labelling. Labelling rules for wine, distilled spirits, and malt beverages will be explored in detail. The course will cover:

• Mandatory label information and presentation requirements under TTB regulations.
• Naming conventions and standards of identity for wine, distilled spirits, and malt beverages.
• Claims, including alcohol content statements and low/no-alcohol considerations.
• Class and type designations for TTB-regulated beverages.
• Formulation-related labelling implications (e.g., flavours, colours, additives).
• The role of Certificates of Label Approval (COLAs).

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course delegates will:

• Be able to interpret the relevant federal legislation and TTB regulations governing alcoholic beverage labelling and know when specialist advice is required.
• Understand how to apply current federal labelling rules within their business to produce compliant labels.
• Recognise compliant and non-compliant labels across the wine, spirits, and malt beverage categories.
• Contribute towards continuing professional development within their regulatory or compliance role.

 Note

If your interest is specifically in the labelling of the few alcoholic beverages that fall under the Food and Drug Administration’s labelling jurisdiction rather than the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, you may find our USA Food and Drink Labelling course more suitable. If you are unsure which course would be most beneficial, please contact training@campdenbri.co.uk for advice.