Voluntary Report - public distribution

**Date:** 11/29/2004

**GAIN Report Number:** E34093

E34093

**EU-25**

**Wine**

**Allergen Labeling on Wine**

**2004**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Norval E. Francis, Jr.

U.S. Mission to the EU

**Prepared by:**

Hilde Brans (cleared by Christine Strossman)

**Report Highlights:**

The EU\'s new allergen labeling rules also extend to alcoholic
beverages. The presence of sulphites in wine must be indicated on the
label. Alcoholic beverages not complying with the new rules will be
prohibited as of November 25, 2005.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Brussels USEU \[BE2\]

\[E3\]

**Allergen Labeling on Wine**

In November 2003, the EU published Directive 2003/89/EC making the
indication of allergenic substances on food labels mandatory. Directive
2003/89/EC is an amendment to the EU' general food labeling directive
2000/13/EC and establishes a list of allergenic substances. The new
allergen labeling rules also extend to beverages containing more than
1.2% by volume of alcohol which are not required to list ingredients. EU
member states must transpose the directive into national laws by
November 1, 2004. Sales of products not complying with the new rules
will be prohibited as of November 1, 2005. Products placed on the market
or labeled before November 25, 2005 may be sold while stocks last.

On November 19, 2004, Commission Regulation 1991/2004 was published,
amending Commission Regulation 753/2002 on the labeling of wine, to
incorporate the provisions on allergen labeling. Starting November 25,
2005, alcoholic beverages containing sulphur dioxide and sulphites at
concentrations of more than 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/liter expressed as SO~2~
must be labeled "contains sulphites" or "contains sulphur dioxide". It
is not necessary to put the indication of allergenic substances, as well
as the compulsory particulars of the importer and the lot number, in the
same visual field as the other compulsory particulars (sales
designation, alcoholic strength, nominal value). Alcoholic beverages not
complying with the new rules will be prohibited as of November 1, 2005.

Links to the referenced legislation on food labeling can be found on our
website at
[www.useu.be/agri/label.html](http://www.useu.be/agri/label.html); links
to the legislation on wine at
[www.useu.be/agri/wine.html](http://www.useu.be/agri/wine.html).

**Visit our website:** our website
**[www.useu.be/agri/usda.html]{.underline}** provides a broad range of
useful information on EU import rules and food laws and allows easy
access to USEU reports, trade information and other practical
information. E-mail: AgUSEUBrussels@usda.gov

**Related reports from USEU Brussels:**

  ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ ------------------
  **Report Number**                                            **Title**                            **Date Released**

  E24043                                                       EU Wine Labeling -- Amended Rules    3/2/2004

  E23180                                                       Wine -- EU Import & Labeling Rules   9/24/2003

  E23247                                                       U.S. Wine Derogations Extended       12/18/2003

  E23186                                                       New Allergen Labeling                9/30/2003

  These reports can be accessed through our website                                                 
  [www.useu.be/agri](http://www.useu.be/agri) or through the                                        
  FAS website                                                                                       
  <http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp>.                                        
  ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ ------------------