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Laboratory - Scientific Services Division

Product Integrity

The Compliance Laboratory provides comprehensive support to TTB Field Operations divisions. TTB investigators and auditors from every district office submit samples to the Laboratory in conjunction with Product Integrity Investigations and Revenue Audits. Any alcohol beverage for sale in the United States may come to the Compliance Laboratory for analysis.

Analysis for compliance is a specialized requirement. The Compliance Laboratory will determine if the sample is compliant with the regulations at 27 CFR. For example, in our analysis of wines we focus on 27 CFR parts 4, 16, and 24. We also check products against all appropriate rulings, procedures, and the applicable FDA regulations

We are mandated to use the Official Methods of Analysis published by AOAC International when they are available, practical, and appropriate. When AOAC Official Methods of Analysis are not available, or when an equivalent modern technology becomes available, then alternative test methods will be adopted as "TTB Official Methods" of analysis. These are available to the public through the Laboratory.

Beverage Alcohol samples are subjected to the following types of analyses:

  • Protect the Revenue – Alcohol Content and Fill
  • Standard of Identity – Volatile Acidity, Fusel Oil, Potassium,
  • Limited Ingredients – Sulfites, Methanol, Preservatives, Toxins
  • Label Issues – Alcohol Facts (nutrition), Government Warning

Nonbeverage products such as cough syrup, hairspray, or specially denatured products will be assessed against the formula on file with TTB for alcohol content and conformance with the formula.