| Tis
The Season
Certificates of Label Approval (COLAs)
By
Tracy McNeil (202)927-8140 Already
fall is upon us and holidays are just around the corner. It is that time of year
when the Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division (ALFD) begins to see a significant
increase in malt beverage labels submitted for seasonal beers, winter brews, and
holiday ales. To ensure timely processing of Certificates of Label Approval (COLAs)
for these products, brewers and importers are reminded to take the following steps
prior to submission of labels to ALFD: - If
the malt beverage is in some manner labeled as seasonal, but it
is not flavored, spiced, or otherwise considered a malt beverage
specialty, please indicate such in item 17 of the ATF Form 5100.31, Application
for and Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval, or submit an ingredient
list with your labels. This is not required if the descriptive text on the actual
label clearly indicates that it is not a flavored product.
- If
an imported malt beverage is flavored,
spiced or otherwise considered a malt beverage specialty, a pre-import letter
must accompany the incoming COLA. Pre-import letters must be obtained prior to
COLA submission by sending a detailed quantitative ingredient list, and step-by-step
description of the production process, to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms,
Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington,
DC 20226. The statement of production must be on the producer's letterhead, with
English translation if necessary, and include a transmittal letter identifying
the submitter and requesting pre-COLA evaluation.
- If
a domestic malt beverage is flavored,
spiced, or otherwise considered a malt beverage specialty, a statement of process
(SOP) must accompany the
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incoming
COLA. SOPs must be approved prior to COLA submissions by sending a statement of
production with a detailed quantitative ingredient list, and step-by-step description
of the production process, on brewery letterhead to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms, Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division, 650 Massachusetts Avenue,
NW Washington, DC 20226.
If
you have any questions, please contact ALFD Customer Service at 1(866)927-ALFD
or call (202)927-8140. 
Methyl
Tertiary Butyl Ether - MTBE Banned from All Gasoline
By
Langdon Guenther (513)684-6924 There
are many ongoing changes in the gasoline industry in the state of California.
In 1999, the chemical additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) was banned from
all gasoline effective December 31, 2002. This ban was later extended to December
31, 2003, by Governor Grey Davis due to fears of gasoline shortages and price
spikes. MTBE was mandated to be in all gasoline sold in California (by far the
largest consumer of gasoline of any state) in the early 1990's. When blended with
gasoline, MTBE dramatically reduced exhaust emissions and contributed greatly
to cleaning the air in California. A 15% blend of MTBE and gasoline was found
to increase octane levels and enhance combustion. Several
years ago it was discovered that gasoline, containing MTBE, was leaking from old
service station storage tanks and finding its way into creeks, rivers, reservoirs,
etc. MTBE has also found its way into the groundwater from pipeline spills and
directly into water from two-stroke marine motors. Just a small amount of MTBE
contaminate a large amount of water. Public drinking water wells have been closed
due to MTBE contamination, or the threat thereof, in Santa Monica, San Jose, South
Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, and many other cities and counties throughout California.
The University
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