[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