Is the TTB Rulemaking on Malternatives Stuck?
Back in March 2003, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposed regulations to change the classification and labeling rules governing alternative malt beverages, a.k.a. alcopops. Alcopops, such as Smirnoff Ice and Bacardi Silver, gained popularity in the past few years as accessible, sweet-tasting alcoholic drinks heavily favored by underage drinkers. Despite their lack of a malt base, they have been treated much like malt beverages, distributed through the same channels, and taxed at the beer rate. Classifying the products as distilled spirits, as TTB proposed, would reduce the number of outlets in which the products are sold, increase the taxes on the products to the liquor rate, and perhaps discourage the networks from accepting advertising for them. It might also help dispel some of the consumer confusion that has developed surrounding the identity of the products. Written comments on the proposed rule were due by October 2003. So many comments16,000 including
