CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE
105th Congress (1997)
BATF PETITIONED TO ALLOW NEW LABELS SUGGESTING MODERATE WINE CONSUMPTION IS GOOD FOR HEALTH (7/25/97)
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) has been petitioned to allow new labels to be attached to wine bottles that suggest that moderate wine consumption is good for one's health. The petition is close to being approved.
The wine industry has for years been trying to get permission to label its products with information about positive health effects of wine consumption. BATF is considering approving a request from two manufacturers to include a statement on wine bottles that directs the consumer to write for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans or consult a physician to learn more about the health effects associated with moderate alcohol consumption.
The Public Health Service at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Trade Commission have written to BATF asking it to hold off approval until research can be done to examine whether this label would mislead consumers and diminish the effectiveness of the federally mandated health warnings. The final decision will be made at the Department level.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Write to Secretary of the Treasury, Robert Rubin, and urge him to withhold approval of this petition until more research can be done. A sample letter follows.
For more information on this issue, contact the Public Policy Office via e-mail at publicpolicy@ncadd.org.
SAMPLE LETTER
July 25, 1997
Mr. Robert Rubin
Secretary
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20220
Dear Secretary Rubin:
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence strongly urges you to withhold approval of a petition by wine manufacturers to include a health statement on wine bottle labels. Research must be conducted to determine what effects this action would have on consumers.
The risks and benefits of alcohol consumption vary greatly from person to person. Anyone who does not take the time and effort to request a copy of the Dietary Guidelines or consult with their physician could be misled by the proposed label and assume that "moderate" consumption (which is not defined) is good for their health. As you know, "moderate" consumption is not good for the health of alcoholics and others who suffer from alcohol-related problems, or the others who fall into the four additional categories of people who should not drink under any circumstances.
Please do not allow the public to be misled about the health effects of alcohol.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,