Communiqué on Stating Volumetric Alcohol Content of Spirit Drinks on Label

Authorization Law: Turkish Food Codex

The Official Gazette: : 26.02.2003 – 25032

Communication No : 2003/6

Objective

Article 1 – The objective of this Communiqué is to order the rules of labeling when the statement of the volumetric alcohol content of spirit drinks is compulsory.

Scope

Article 2 – This Communiqué covers the spirit drinks whose alcoholic strength by volume is more than 1.2%; but excludes the musts of grapes partially fermented and whose fermentation is paused in ways other than the addition of alcohol, the wines of fresh grapes with the exception of vermouth, and the musts of fresh grapes including the mistelles whose fermentation is paused by applying alcohol.

Legal Basis

Article 3 – This Communiqué has been prepared in accordance with “Turkish Food Codex Regulation” dated 16/11/1997 and with reiterated number 23172.

Packaging and Labeling – Marking

Article 4 – Amounts of alcohol content of the spirit drinks are stated on the labels, as follows:

a) The alcoholic strengt of spirit drinks, defined at 20°C, must be stated on the label with the symbol of “%..... Volumetrically” and given to not more than one decimal place. The term “Alcohol” or its abbreviation in the form of “Alc” must be placed just before the symbol.

b) The positive and negative tolerance values permitted for stating the alcoholic strength by volume must be expressed in absolute values as follows:

- For spirit drinks not stated here below,

0.3%, volumetrically

- For beers in which the alcohol content does not in excess of 5.5%,

Vermouths excluding the blends, non-sparkling drinks fermented, and made from grapes and raisins,

0.5%, volumetrically

- For beers in which the alcohol content exceeds 5.5%, volumetrically,

For sparkling drinks fermented and made only from raisins,

For drinks made from fruits other than grapes, including semi-sparkling and sparkling wines,

For spirit drinks based on fermentation of honey,

1%, volumetrically

- For spirit drinks produced by maceration of pieces of fruits and plants with ethyl alcohol,

1.5%, volumetrically.

c) The above-stated tolerance values are valid also for tolerance values of the methods of analysis used for determining the alcoholic strengt.

Methods of Sampling and Analysis

Article 5 - Provisions of the “Methods of Sampling and Analysis” section of the “Turkish Food Codex Regulation” must be complied with while sampling from the products covered by this Communiqué while the products are in the production line and in the storage facilities. The sample must be analyzed by using internationally accepted methods.

Compliance with European Union

Article 6 – This Communiqué has been prepared within the framework of compliance with European Union by taking into consideration the Commission Directive No. 87/250/EEC on “Stating on Label the Volumetric Alcohol Content of Spirits Offered to Consumers”.

Registration and Inspection

Article 7 - The establishments producing and selling the products covered by this Communiqué are obliged to obey the provisions of this Communiqué during the processes of registration and permission, importation, control and inspection. The establishments that fail to comply with these provisions will be subject to legal proceedings under the “Decree Law, No. 560 on Production, Consumption and Inspection of Food”.

Inspection

Article 8 - The implementation of the provisions stated in this Communiqué is inspected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Health according to the “Decree Law, No. 560 on Production, Consumption and Inspection of Food”.

Provisional Article 1 – Presently active establishments which produce and import of the products covered by this Communiqué are obliged to obey the provisions of this Communiqué within two years. Establishments that fail to make the required arrangements within this period are not allowed to keep out their activities. Legal action will be taken against such establishment in accordance with the provisions of the Decree Having the Power of Law, No.560.

Enforcement

Article 9 – This Communiqué enters into force on the date of publication.

Execution

Article 10 – This Communiqué is executed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Minister of Health.