The Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau on July 1 posted a new set of FAQs on sugar content statements on alcoholic beverage labels. The new FAQs say that because sugar is a type of carbohydrate, any sugar content statement is a carbohydrate claim and must be made in accordance with the guidance set forth for carbohydrate representations in TTB Ruling 2004-1 and TTB Ruling 2013-2. The new FAQs also address sugar-free label claims.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added individuals and entities to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list on July 1:
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) settled a case with Red Bull North America for $89,775 over seven alleged violations of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations in June 2009. Red Bull North American management authorized travel to Cuba in order to film a documentary without OFAC authorization. The violations draw from production of the film and associated travel.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) settled a case with the firm Network Hardware Resale for $64,758 over alleged violations of the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations between 2008 and 2011, OFAC announced on June 25. The firm allegedly exported 16 shipments of networking equipment and related accessories from the U.S. to Sudan, as well as two shipments of similar products from the U.S. and destined for Iran. Network Hardware Resale took “prompt corrective action” after detecting the violations, said OFAC.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added the following entity to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list on June 26:
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control amended the Burmese Sanctions Regulations to implement Executive Order 13448 “Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions Related to Burma,” Executive Order 13464 “Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions Related to Burma,” Executive Order 13619 “Blocking Property of Persons Threatening the Peace, Security, or Stability of Burma,” and Executive Order 13651 “Prohibiting Certain Imports of Burmese Jadeite and Rubies.” The orders were issued from 2007 to 2013. The amendments are effective June 27. OFAC also reissued the regulations in their entirety.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control published on June 25 its annual report to Congress on U.S. assets relating to Specially Designated Global Terrorists and Specially Designated Terrorists, as well as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets deleted numerous counter narcotic designations from the Specially Designated Nationals List on June 19. The complete list is available (here).
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control replaced the Specially Designated Nationals Search function on its website with the Sanctions Search List, a tool that allows searches for names on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, the Foreign Sanctions Evaders (FSE) List, or the two lists simultaneously. The search results are printable and can be saved as a spreadsheet. OFAC also released answers to frequently asked questions on algorithms, scoring, and other technical details of the search function (here).
Beers containing a lengthy list of previously restricted ingredients will no longer require a pre-import “formula” letter and a statement of composition on the label, under a new policy adopted by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in TTB Ruling 2014-4. The agency now says the beer must be labeled “in accordance with trade understanding,” after finding the ingredients are traditionally used in the brewing of beer. TTB is also removing formula requirements for certain production processes, including aging in old wine or liquor barrels and aging with wood chips.