Alcohol Info
Programs
In the alcohol beverage industry, the Bureau regulates the qualification and operations of distilleries, wineries, and breweries, as well as importers and wholesalers in the industry. ATF has established mutually beneficial working relationships to minimize the regulatory burdens on businesses while still providing government oversight and protecting consumer interests.
Consumers of alcohol beverage products are protected by several functions unique to ATF. The ATF National Laboratory Center (NLC) is the premier tester of new products coming onto the market. The NLC tests products to ensure that all regulated ingredients are within legal limits in order to protect consumers from identifiable health risks in accordance with the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) recommendations.
To ensure alcohol beverage labels do not contain misleading information and adhere to regulatory mandates, the ATF Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division examines all label applications for approval.
The goals of the alcohol program are to ensure the collection of alcohol
beverage excise taxes; to provide for accurate deposit and accounting
for these taxes; to prevent entry into the industry by criminals or persons
whose business experience or associations pose a risk of tax fraud; and
to suppress label fraud, commercial bribery, diversion and smuggling,
and other unlawful practices in the alcohol beverage marketplace.