27 C.F.R. Subpart H—Advertising of Distilled Spirits
Title 27 - Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms
No person engaged in business as a distiller, rectifier, importer, wholesaler, or warehouseman and bottler of distilled spirits, directly or indirectly or through an affiliate, shall publish or disseminate or cause to be published or disseminated by radio or television broadcast, or in any newspaper, periodical, or any publication, by any sign or outdoor advertisement, or any other printed or graphic matter, any advertisement of distilled spirits, if such advertising is in, or is calculated to induce sales in, interstate or foreign commerce, or is disseminated by mail, unless such advertisement is in conformity with §§5.61 through 5.66 of this part. Provided, that such sections shall not apply to outdoor advertising in place on (effective date of this treasury decision), but shall apply upon replacement, restoration, or renovation of any such advertising; and provided further, that such sections shall not apply to a retailer or the publisher of any newspaper, periodical, or other publication, or radio or television broadcast, unless such retailer or publisher or radio or television broadcaster is engaged in business as a distiller, rectifier, importer, wholesaler, or warehouseman and bottler of distilled spirits, directly or indirectly, or through an affiliate. [T.D. ATF–180, 49 FR 31673, Aug. 8, 1984] As used in §§5.61 through 5.66 of this part, the term “advertisement” includes any written or verbal statement, illlustration, or depiction which is in, or calculated to induce sales in, interstate or foreign commerce, or is disseminated by mail, whether it appears in a newspaper, magazine, trade booklet, menu, wine card, leaflet, circular, mailer, book insert, catalog, promotional material, sales pamphlet, or in any written, printed, graphic, or other matter accompanying the bottle, representations made on cases or in any billboard, sign, other outdoor display, public transit card, other periodical literature, publication, or in a radio or television broadcast, or in any other media; except that such term shall not include: (a) Any label affixed to any bottle of distilled spirits; or any individual covering, carton, or other container of the bottle which constitute a part of the labeling under §§5.31 through 5.42 of this part. (b) Any editorial or other reading material (i.e., news release) in any periodical or publication or newspaper for the publication of which no money or valuable consideration is paid or promised, directly or indirectly, by any permittee, and which is not written by or at the direction of the permittee. [T.D. ATF–180, 49 FR 31673, Aug. 8, 1984] (a) Responsible advertiser. The advertisement shall state the name and address of the permittee responsible for its publication or broadcast. Street number and name may be omitted in the address. (b) Class and type. The advertisement shall contain a conspicuous statement of the class to which the product belongs and the type thereof corresponding with the statement of class and type which is required to appear on the label of the product. (c) Alcohol content—(1) Mandatory statement. The alcohol content for distilled spirits shall be stated in percent-alcohol-by-volume. Products such as “Rock and Rye” or similar products containing a significant amount of solid material shall state the alcohol content at the time of bottling as follows: “Bottled at ___ percent-alcohol-by-volume.” (2) Optional statement. In addition, the advertisement may also state the alcohol content in degrees of proof if this information appears in direct conjunction (i.e. with no intervening material) with the statement expressed in percent-alcohol-by-volume. If both forms of alcohol content are shown, the optional statement in degrees of proof shall be placed in parentheses, in brackets, or otherwise distinguished from the mandatory statement in percent-alcohol-by-volume to emphasize the fact that both expressions of alcohol content mean the same thing. (d) Percentage of neutral spirits and name of commodity. (1) In the case of distilled spirits (other than cordials, liqueurs, and specialties) produced by blending or rectification, if neutral spirits have been used in the production thereof, there shall be stated the percentage of neutral spirits so used and the name of the commodity from which such neutral spirits have been distilled. The statement of percentage and the name of the commodity shall be made in substantially the following form: “__% neutral spirits distilled from ____ (insert grain, cane products, or fruit, as appropriate)”; or __% neutral spirits (vodka) distilled from ____ (insert grain, cane product, or fruit, as appropriate)”; or “__% grain (cane products), (fruit) neutral spirits”; or “__% grain spirits”. (2) In the case of neutral spirits or of gin produced by a process of continuous distillation, there shall be stated the name of the commodity from which such neutral spirits or gin has been distilled. The statement of the name of the commodity shall be made in substantially the following form: “Distilled from grain”, or “Distilled from cane products”, or “Distilled from fruit.” (e) Exception. (1) If an advertisement refers to a general distilled spirits line or all of the distilled spirits products of one company, whether by the company name or by the brand name common to all the distilled spirits in the line, the only mandatory information necessary is the name and address of the responsible advertiser. This exception does not apply where only one type of distilled spirits is marketed under the specific brand name advertised. (2) On consumer specialty items, the only information necessary is the company name or brand name of the product. [T.D. 7020, 34 FR 20337, Dec. 30, 1969, as amended by T.D. ATF–180, 49 FR 31674, Aug. 8, 1984; T.D. ATF–237, 51 FR 36394, Oct. 10, 1986] (a) Statements required under §§5.61 through 5.66 of this part to appear in any written, printed, or graphic advertisement shall be in lettering or type size sufficient to be conspicuous and readily legible. (b) In the case of signs, billboards, and displays the name and address of the permittee responsible for the advertisement may appear in type size of lettering smaller than the other mandatory information, provided such information can be ascertained upon closer examination of the sign or billboard. (c) Mandatory information shall be so stated as to be clearly a part of the advertisement and shall not be separated in any manner from the remainder of the advertisement. (d) Manadatory information for two or more products shall not be stated unless clearly separated. (e) Mandatory information shall be so stated in both the print and audio-visual media that it will be readily apparent to the persons viewing the advertisement. [T.D. ATF–180, 49 FR 31674, Aug. 8, 1984] (a) Restrictions. An advertisement of distilled spirits shall not contain: (1) Any statement that is false or untrue in any material particular, or that, irrespective of falsity, directly, or by ambiguity, omission, or inference, or by the addition of irrelevant, scientific or technical matter tends to create a misleading impression. (2) Any statement that is disparaging of a competitor's product. (3) Any statement, design, device, or representation which is obscene or indecent. (4) Any statement, design, device, or representation of or relating to analyses, standards or tests, irrespective of falsity, which the appropriate TTB officer finds to be likely to mislead the consumer. (5) Any statement, design, device, or representation of or relating to any guarantee, irrespective of falsity, which the appropriate TTB officer finds to be likely to mislead the consumer. Money-back guarantees are not prohibited. (6) Any statement that the distilled spirits are distilled, blended, made, bottled, or sold under or in accordance with any municipal, State, Federal, or foreign authorization, law, or regulation, unless such statement appears in the manner authorized by §5.42 for labels of distilled spirits. If a municipal, State or Federal permit number is stated, such permit number shall not be accompanied by any additional statement relating thereto. (7) The words “bond”, “bonded”, “bottled in bond”, “aged in bond”, or phrases containing these or synonymous terms, unless such words or phrases appear, pursuant to §5.42, on labels of the distilled spirits advertised, and are stated in the advertisement in the manner and form in which they are permitted to appear on the label. (8) The word “pure” unless: (i) It refers to a particular ingredient used in the production of the distilled spirits, and is a truthful representation about the ingredient; or (ii) It is part of the bona fide name of a permittee or retailer from whom the distilled spirits are bottled; or (iii) It is part of the bona fide name of the permittee who bottled the distilled spirits. (9) The words “double distilled” or “triple distilled” or any similar terms unless it is a truthful statement of fact; except that “double distilled” or “triple distilled” shall not be permitted in advertisements of distilled spirits produced by the redistillation method when a second or third distillation step is a necessary distillation process for the production of the product. (b) Statements inconsistent with labeling. (1) Advertisements shall not contain any statement concerning a brand or lot of distilled spirits that is inconsistent with any statement on the labeling thereof. (2) Any label depicted on a bottle in an advertisement shall be a reproduction of an approved label. (c) Statement of age. The advertisement shall not contain any statement, design, or device directly or by implication concerning age or maturity of any brand or lot of distilled spirits unless a statement of age appears on the label of the advertised product. When any such statement, design, or device concerning age or maturity is contained in any advertisement, it shall include (in direct conjunction therewith and with substantially equal conspicuousness) all parts of the statement, if any, concerning age and percentages required to be made on the label under the provisions of §§5.31 through 5.42. An advertisement for any whisky or brandy (except immature brandies) which is not required to bear a statement of age on the label or an advertisement for any rum or Tequila, which has been aged for not less than 4 years may, however, contain inconspicuous, general representation as to age, maturity or other similar representations even though a specific age statement does not appear on the label of the advertised product and in the advertisement itself. (d) Health-related statements—(1) Definitions. When used in this paragraph (d), terms are defined as follows: (i) Health-related statement means any statement related to health and includes statements of a curative or therapeutic nature that, expressly or by implication, suggest a relationship between the consumption of alcohol, distilled spirits, or any substance found within the distilled spirits, and health benefits or effects on health. The term includes both specific health claims and general references to alleged health benefits or effects on health associated with the consumption of alcohol, distilled spirits, or any substance found within the distilled spirits, as well as health-related directional statements. The term also includes statements and claims that imply that a physical or psychological sensation results from consuming the distilled spirits, as well as statements and claims of nutritional value (e.g., statements of vitamin content). Statements concerning caloric, carbohydrate, protein, and fat content do not constitute nutritional claims about the product. (ii) Specific health claim is a type of health-related statement that, expressly or by implication, characterizes the relationship of the distilled spirits, alcohol, or any substance found within the distilled spirits, to a disease or health-related condition. Implied specific health claims include statements, symbols, vignettes, or other forms of communication that suggest, within the context in which they are presented, that a relationship exists between distilled spirits, alcohol, or any substance found within the distilled spirits, and a disease or health-related condition. (iii) Health-related directional statement is a type of health-related statement that directs or refers consumers to a third party or other source for information regarding the effects on health of distilled spirits or alcohol consumption. (2) Rules for advertising—(i) Health-related statements. In general, advertisements may not contain any health-related statement that is untrue in any particular or tends to create a misleading impression as to the effects on health of alcohol consumption. TTB will evaluate such statements on a case-by-case basis and may require as part of the health-related statement a disclaimer or some other qualifying statement to dispel any misleading impression conveyed by the health-related statement. Such disclaimer or other qualifying statement must appear as prominent as the health-related statement. (ii) Specific health claims. A specific health claim will not be considered misleading if it is truthful and adequately substantiated by scientific or medical evidence; sufficiently detailed and qualified with respect to the categories of individuals to whom the claim applies; adequately discloses the health risks associated with both moderate and heavier levels of alcohol consumption; and outlines the categories of individuals for whom any levels of alcohol consumption may cause health risks. This information must appear as part of the specific health claim and in a manner as prominent as the specific health claim. (iii) Health-related directional statements. A statement that directs consumers to a third party or other source for information regarding the effects on health of distilled spirits or alcohol consumption is presumed misleading unless it— (A) Directs consumers in a neutral or other non-misleading manner to a third party or other source for balanced information regarding the effects on health of distilled spirits or alcohol consumption; and (B)(1) Includes as part of the health-related directional statement, and in a manner as prominent as the health-related directional statement, the following disclaimer: “This statement should not encourage you to drink or increase your alcohol consumption for health reasons;” or (2) Includes as part of the health-related directional statement, and in a manner as prominent as the health-related directional statement, some other qualifying statement that the appropriate TTB officer finds is sufficient to dispel any misleading impression conveyed by the health-related directional statement. (e) Place of origin. The advertisement shall not represent that the distilled spirits were manufactured in or imported from a place or country other than that of their actual origin, or were produced or processed by one who was not in fact the actual producer or processor. (f) Confusion of brands. Two or more different brands or lots of distilled spirits shall not be advertised in one advertisement (or in two or more advertisements in one issue of a periodical or newspaper, or in one piece of other written, printed, or graphic matter) if the advertisement tends to create the impression that representations made as to one brand or lot apply to the other or others, and if as to such latter the representations contravene any provisions of this subpart or are in any respect untrue. (g) Flags, seals, coats of arms, crests, and other insignia. An advertisement shall not contain any statement, design, device, or pictorial representation which the appropriate TTB officer finds relates to, or is capable of being construed as relating to the armed forces of the United States, or the American flag, or any emblem, seal, insignia, or decoration associated with such flag or armed forces; nor shall any advertisement contain any statement, design, device, or pictorial representation of or concerning any flag, seal, coat of arms, crest, or other insignia, likely to mislead the consumer to believe that the product has been endorsed, made, or used by, or produced for, or under the supervision of, or in accordance with the specifications of the government, organization, family, or individual with whom such flag, seal, coat of arms, crest, or insignia is associated. (h) Deceptive advertising techniques. Subliminal or similar techniques are prohibited. “Subliminal or similar techniques,” as used in this part, refers to any device or technique that is used to convey, or attempts to convey, a message to a person by means of images or sounds of a very brief nature that cannot be perceived at a normal level of awareness. [T.D. 7020, 34 FR 20337, Dec. 30, 1969, as amended by T.D. ATF–180, 49 FR 31674, Aug. 8, 1984; TTB T.D.–1, 68 FR 10105, Mar. 3, 2003] (a) General. Comparative advertising shall not be disparaging of a competitor's product. (b) Taste tests. (1) Taste test results may be used in advertisements comparing competitors' products unless they are disparaging, deceptive, or likely to mislead the consumer. (2) The taste test procedure used shall meet scientifically accepted procedures. An example of a scientifically accepted procedure is outlined in the Manual on Sensory Testing Methods, ASTM Special Technical Publication 434, published by the American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, ASTM, 1968, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 68–15545. (3) A statement shall appear in the advertisement providing the name and address of the testing administrator. [T.D. ATF–180, 49 FR 31674, Aug. 8, 1984]
Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
PART 5—LABELING AND ADVERTISING OF DISTILLED SPIRITS
Subpart H—Advertising of Distilled Spirits
§ 5.61 Application.
§ 5.62 Definition.
§ 5.63 Mandatory statements.
§ 5.64 Legibility of mandatory information.
§ 5.65 Prohibited practices.
§ 5.66 Comparative advertising.
