[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7742-7743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4289]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
27 CFR Parts 5 and 7
[Notice No. 846; Ref. Notice No. 844]
RIN 1512-AB50
Use of Distilled Spirits Terms in Labeling and Advertising of
Malt Beverages; Use of the Term ``Margarita'' in Labeling Distilled
Spirits
AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of
the Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of Petition; reopening of comment period.
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SUMMARY: This notice reopens the comment period for Notice No. 844, a
Notice of Petition published in the Federal Register on November 7,
1996. ATF has received a request to extend the comment period in order
to provide sufficient time for all interested parties to respond to the
issues raised in the notice.
DATES: Written comments must be received by March 7, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Wine, Bear, and Spirits
Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, P.O. Box
50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221; Attention: Notice No. 844. Comments
not exceeding three pages may be submitted by facsimile transmission to
(202) 927-8602.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles N. Bacon, Wine, Beer, and
Spirits Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and firearms,
650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20226; telephone (202)
927-8230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On November 7, 1996, ATF published a Notice of Petition in the
Federal Register at 61 FR 57597 which outlined the proposals made in a
petition submitted by Heublein, Inc. Heublein's petition seeks changes
in regulations relating to the labeling and advertising of malt
beverages which would prohibit the use of ``Pina Colada,''
``Daiquiri,'' ``Margarita,'' and similar terms in the labeling of malt
beverage products. Heublein's petition also seeks to amend regulations
relating to the labeling and advertising of distilled spirits to
prohibit the term ``Margarita'' from being used in the labeling of any
product unless that product is made with Tequila.
The comment period for Notice No. 844 was scheduled to close on
February 5, 1997. Prior to the close of the Comment Period, ATF
received a request from the National Association of Beverage Importers,
Inc. (NABI), a trade association representing importers of alcoholic
beverages, to extend the comment period for 30 days. In requesting the
extended comment period, NABI stated that the petition had raised
considerable controversy within the industry, and that its members
required additional time to reach a position on the issues raised by
the petition.
In consideration of this request, ATF finds that a reopening of the
comment period is warranted. Thus, the comment period is being reopened
for a period of 30 additional days until March 7, 1997.
Disclosure
Copies of Heublein's petition and written comments received in
response to the petition and to Notice No. 844 will be available for
public inspection during normal business hours at: ATF Reading Room,
Disclosure Branch, Room 6300, 650 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington,
DC.
Drafting Information
The author of this notice is Charles N. Bacon, Wine, Beer, and
Spirits Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
List of Subjects
27 CFR Part 5
Advertising, Consumer protection, Customs duties and inspection,
Imports, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Trade practices.
27 CFR Part 7
Advertising, Beer , Consumer protection, Customs duties and
inspection, Imports, and Labeling.
Authority
This notice is issued under the authority of 27 U.S.C. 205.
[[Page 7743]]
Signed: February 13, 1997.
Director.
John W. Magaw,
[FR Doc. 97-4289 Filed 2-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-13-M
