5 things to know: Alcohol calorie labels on menus
By Associated Press
Published: 22:59 GMT, 17 December 2014 | Updated: 22:59 GMT, 17 December 2014











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animal coloring pages for adults estimated calorie counts, so companies won't have to pay to have their products' nutritional content analyzed — for now, at least.

The regulations "could have a slight chilling effect" on small breweries if some restaurants decide to list calories for individual beers, said Paul Gatza of the Brewers Association, which represents craft breweries.

The rules could have advantages, too, Gatza said, if the added information helps consumers feel more connected to the brands.

WHAT ABOUT BOTTLES AND CANS?

For years, most alcohol companies have tried to put off mandatory bottle and can nutrition labeling as public health advocates have fought for it.

Rules proposed by Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Trade and Tax Bureau in 2007 would have made such labels mandatory. But they were never made final.

Last year, the bureau said for the first time that beer, wine and spirits companies could use labels that include serving size, servings per container, calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat per serving.

The labels are voluntary and will probably be used mostly by liquor companies touting low calories and low carbohydrates in their products.

WHAT'S ON PACKAGE LABELS NOW

Wines containing 14 percent or more alcohol by volume must list alcohol content.
Wines that are 7 percent to 14 percent alcohol by volume may list alcohol content or put "light" or "table" wine on the label. "Light" beers must list calorie and carbohydrate content. Liquor must list percent alcohol content by volume and may also list proof, a measure of alcoholic strength.

Wine, beer and liquor manufacturers don't have to list ingredients but must list substances people might be sensitive to, such as sulfites, certain food colorings and aspartame.

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