The labeling requirements for wines that contain a mixture of organic and non-organic grapes were changed in the United States. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) charged Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) with the task of implementing the labeling program in order to provide clear disclosure to consumers.
Wine labeled “Made with Organic Ingredients” and which contain organic and non-organic grapes, must now disclose the presence of non-organic grapes on the label. The following following variations to this statement are acceptable:
- “Made with Organic and Non-Organic Grapes”;
- “Made with Organic [variety] Grapes and Non-Organic [variety] Grapes”;
- “Made with _% Organic Grapes and _% Grapes”;
- “Made with _% Organic [variety] Grapes and _% Non-Organic [variety] Grapes”
In addition, the TTB is now requiring a Percentage Statement such as, “55% Organic Ingredients” on the label. The Percentage Statement must appear on the information panel in proximity to the “Organic Ingredients” Statement. If a wine bears an “Organic Ingredients” without an indication of non-organic grapes, then 100 percent of the ingredients in such wine must be organic.
However, when 100 percent of the ingredients are organic on a wine, but the wine is not “Certified Organic” by the USDA, a Percentage Statement of “100% Organic Wine” is prohibited in order to avoid consumer confusion. In essence, the TTB doesn’t want consumers to think because a wine contains 100 percent organic ingredients, that it is certified organic.
These new labeling requirements went in to effect on June 2, 2009.
