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200Module 5 of 8

Beverage Labeling Essentials

Non-alcoholic: caffeine, nutrition, claims. Alcoholic: TTB overview and market-specific warnings.

7 minutes
beverage
Next: Green Claims & Advertising Law
Lesson Video
Beverage Labeling Essentials
Module Content

1) Executive summary

The 7 most important insights
  1. Caffeine labeling diverges by region.
    • US: No federal requirement to declare caffeine quantity on conventional foods; if caffeine is added, list "caffeine" in ingredients. FDA treats caffeine as GRAS in cola-type beverages up to 0.02% (200 ppm); concentrated caffeine products remain an enforcement focus.
    • EU/UK: Mandatory high-caffeine warning and quantitative disclosure when a ready-to-drink beverage exceeds 150 mg/L caffeine (except drinks named "coffee/tea"). Exact wording and mg per 100 mLrequired near the product name.
  2. US Nutrition Facts mechanics changed with 2016/2018 rules: sodas’ RACC moved to 12 fl oz; containers 200–300% of RACC must use dual-column (per serving & per container).
  3. Sugar claims differ across US/EU/UK.
    • US: "Sugar-free" generally <0.5 g sugars per RACC & per serving; qualifier often required (e.g., "not a low-calorie food").
    • EU/UK: "Low sugars" ≤2.5 g/100 mL (liquids); "Sugar-free" ≤0.5 g/100 mL; "No added sugars" requires no added mono/di-saccharides or ingredients used for sweetening, and must state "contains naturally occurring sugars" if present.
  4. EU/UK sweeteners & allergen statements are mandatory in defined cases (aspartame → phenylalanine; polyols → laxative warning). US Big 9 includes sesame (2023).
  5. Alcohol in the US is TTB-regulated (27 CFR). Mandatory statements differ by wine (Part 4), distilled spirits (Part 5), and malt beverages (Part 7); all require the federal health warning (Part 16) plus brand name, class/type, alcohol content (category-specific), net contents, and responsible party.
  6. TTB “Alcohol Facts” is coming (proposal, 2025). Anticipate energy/serving size panel footprint changes.
  7. Ireland will require on-label alcohol health warnings from 22 May 2026. No EU-wide equivalent; UK remains largely voluntary best practice (Portman Group).
5 immediate actions
  • Reserve space for EU/UK caffeine warning + mg/100 mL near product name.
  • Implement dual-column Nutrition Facts for 200–300% RACC containers.
  • Scrub sugar-related claims per regional rules; add qualifiers as needed.
  • Alcohol (US): include all TTB mandatory statements + health warning; plan for Alcohol Facts.
  • Allergens: EU Annex II emphasis; US Big-9 including sesame.
Key risks (12–24 months)
  • TTB Alcohol Facts rulemaking (scope, dates, format).
  • Ireland 2026: enforcement specifics (sizes/placement) and cross-border acceptance.
  • US caffeine content bills (mg/serving) occasionally proposed—monitor.

2) Definitions & concepts

  • RACC: Basis for serving size; drives dual-column triggers at 200–300%.
  • Dual-column labeling: Nutrition per serving and per container/unit in 200–300% band.
  • High-caffeine beverage (EU/UK): >150 mg/L → fixed warning + mg/100 mL near name.
  • COLA: TTB Certificate of Label Approval for many alcohol labels.
  • PDP: Principal display panel; governs size/placement rules.
Concept map (bullets)
  • Non-alcoholic: Ingredients → Caffeine? → (>150 mg/L EU/UK) warning + mg/100 mL → Nutrition (RACC/Annex XV) → Claims check.
  • Alcoholic (US): Category → Mandatory statements + health warning → COLA → (watch) Alcohol Facts.
  • Alcoholic (EU/UK/Ireland): Base FIC + market-specific warnings (Ireland 2026).

3) Standards, regulations, governance

United States (non-alcoholic)
  • 21 CFR 101 (Nutrition Facts; claims; serving sizes & dual-column triggers).
  • Caffeine: GRAS up to 0.02% in cola-type; no mg/serving mandate for conventional foods.
European Union / United Kingdom
  • FIC 1169/2011 (retained in GB): mandatory particulars; x-height ≥1.2 mm; allergen emphasis; nutrition declaration.
  • Caffeine statement: Annex III thresholds/wording; mg/100 mL & proximity to name.
  • Claims: 1924/2006 thresholds; GB NHC Register in UK.
Alcoholic beverages (US)
  • TTB via 27 CFR: wine (Part 4), spirits (Part 5), malt beverages (Part 7).
  • All require 27 CFR Part 16 (federal health warning).
  • COLA required for most labels; Alcohol Facts proposal pending.
Market-specific warnings (EU/UK)
  • Ireland: Public Health (Alcohol) Labelling Regs 2023 in force 22 May 2026 (calories, grams alcohol, pregnancy & cancer warnings).
  • UK: Voluntary set via Portman Group (units, pregnancy, Drinkaware, CMO 14-unit guidance).
What differs by region (quick table)
TopicUSEUUK
Caffeine (non-alc)No mg/serving mandate; GRAS 0.02% colas; list if added.>150 mg/L → fixed wording + mg/100 mL near name.Mirrors EU (retained law).
Sugar claims“Sugar-free” <0.5 g/serving; qualifier often needed.1924/2006 thresholds (e.g., low sugars ≤2.5 g/100 mL).GB NHC Register; same thresholds.
Nutrition panelNutrition Facts; dual-column 200–300% RACC.Per 100 mL mandatory in most cases.Retained EU model.
Alcohol warningsFederal health warning (27 CFR Part 16).No EU-wide warning; member-state measures.Voluntary via Portman Group.
ForthcomingAlcohol Facts proposal (2025).Ireland 2026 warnings.Watching calorie/warnings consultations.

4) Evidence base & benchmarks

  • US caffeine limits: GRAS up to 0.02% in cola-type; no mg/serving mandate; enforcement on highly concentrated products.
  • EU/UK high-caffeine wording: "High caffeine content…" + mg/100 mL near name for >150 mg/L (not for beverages named coffee/tea).
  • US dual-column: 200–300% RACC triggers; sodas RACC at 12 fl oz.
  • Sugar claims: US <0.5 g/serving vs EU/UK numeric thresholds per 1924/2006.
  • Allergens: US Big 9 includes sesame (2023); EU Annex II emphasis in list.
  • Legibility (EU/UK): x-height ≥1.2 mm (0.9 mm small packs).
  • Barcodes: GS1 EAN-13/UPC 80–200% magnification; protect quiet zones.

5) Design & production implications

Rules of thumb
  • Plan EU/UK caffeine line real estate near product name when >150 mg/L is likely.
  • Build US dual-column templates for 20–24 fl oz formats (common 200–300% RACC band).
  • Write claims per jurisdiction; include qualifiers (e.g., “not a low-calorie food”) where required.
  • Alcohol (US): use the exact 27 CFR Part 16 health warning text; do not paraphrase.
Manufacturability flags
  • EU/UK x-height vs flavor/claims: measure x-height, not point size.
  • Barcode: keep 80–120% magnification; clean quiet zones; avoid varnish steps.
Supplier perspective

Provide: complete Nutrition Facts artwork (US), EU/UK caffeine line (if applicable), claims/legal footnotes, barcode spec (size/location), finish map.

6) Sustainability & compliance

  • Environmental claims/icons must match substrate reality; avoid unqualified “eco-friendly/green”.
  • Keep audit pack: regulatory basis for claims, caffeine calculations, RACC logic, jurisdiction memo for alcohol SKUs.

7) Workflow & tooling

Checklists
  • US non-alc: identity; 101.105 net qty; ingredients (added caffeine shown); Big-9; Nutrition Facts (RACC; dual-column if 200–300%).
  • EU/UK non-alc: name; ingredients with Annex II emphasis; caffeine line if >150 mg/L; sweetener/allergen phrases; nutrition decl; x-height ≥1.2 mm; claims vs 1924/2006.
  • US alcohol: brand; class/type; ABV; net contents; name/address; 27 CFR Part 16; COLA; Alcohol Facts space.
  • EU/UK/Ireland alcohol: base FIC; Ireland 2026 warnings (cal, grams alcohol, pregnancy/cancer) where applicable; UK Portman best practice.
Decision trees
  • EU/UK caffeine warning? → mg/L ≤150: no; >150: add fixed statement + mg/100 mL near name.
  • US dual-column? → container/RACC in [2.0, 3.0] → yes.
  • Sugar-free claim? → US <0.5 g/serving + qualifier; EU/UK ≤0.5 g/100 mL; "no added" conditions.
Calculator blueprints
  • EU caffeine (mg/100 mL) = (mg/L) / 10; trigger if >150 mg/L.
  • US dual-column trigger: ratio = container size / RACC; if 2.0–3.0 → dual.
  • EU “low sugars” feasibility: sugars/100 mL ≤ 2.5 g.

8) Category-specific guidance

Energy drinks (EU/UK)

Plan Annex III line near name; add mg/100 mL; keep x-height; don’t crowd flavor.

Flavored waters & sodas (US)

Check RACC and package size (20 fl oz often dual-column); align sugar claims.

Alcohol RTDs (US)

Confirm TTB vs FDA jurisdiction by base; include mandatory statements accordingly.

9) Case studies

EU energy drink, 320 mg/L caffeine (500 mL can)

Approach: Added Annex III wording near name; "Caffeine: 32 mg/100 mL"; ensured x-height; preserved brand hierarchy.

Result: Passed legal; no relabels in DE/FR/UK; no retail rejection.

US sparkling water extension with “sugar-free” claim

Approach: Verified <0.5 g/serving; added qualifier "not a low-calorie food"; aligned with "0 g total sugars" rules.

Result: FDA counsel sign-off; reduced risk of warning letters.

US hard seltzer (jurisdiction)

Approach: Used TTB "Is it TTB or FDA?" resource; confirmed TTB; included class/type, ABV, warning, COLA; reserved Alcohol Facts space.

Result: Clean COLA; future-proofed layout.

10) Common pitfalls & red flags

  1. Missing EU caffeine line on high-caffeine SKUs, or placing it away from name.
  2. US “sugar-free” without required qualifier.
  3. Ignoring dual-column on 20/24 fl oz packages (200–300% RACC).
  4. Allergen emphasis absent in EU/UK ingredients list.
  5. Alcohol (US): altering 27 CFR Part 16 wording.
  6. Barcode <80% or quiet-zone intrusions; scan failures.
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