Alcohol content labeling sought

Consumer advocates are pressing the Treasury Department to develop labels for alcoholic drink packaging to let people know how much alcohol is in each serving of liquor.

The groups want the department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade bureau to expand the information included in proposed drink labels. They want labels that reveal the amount of alcohol per serving, the definition of a standard drink and the U.S. dietary guidelines on drinking.

“I think people have no idea how much alcohol is in a standard drink,” said Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League. “They need to know that to make the right choices.”

Last July, the Treasury Department proposed labeling alcoholic drink packages with percentage of alcohol by volume along with the number of calories, carbohydrates, fat and protein for a standard serving size. But consumer groups complained that the proposed label didn’t list the amount of alcohol in each serving.

The department is analyzing comments to determine if and how to move forward, spokesman Arthur Resnick said.