---
kind: "section"
citation: "27 U.S.C. § 215"
title: "27"
title_heading: "Intoxicating Liquors"
number: "215"
heading: "Labeling requirement"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/27/215"
units:
  - "Chapter 8 — Federal Alcohol Administration Act"
  - "Subchapter II — Alcoholic Beverage Labeling"
---

# §215. Labeling requirement

- (a) **Statement required on container—** On and after the expiration of the 12-month period following November 18, 1988, it shall be unlawful for any [person](/usc/27/214.md?p=7) to manufacture, import, or [bottle](/usc/27/214.md?p=2) for sale or distribution in the [United States](/usc/27/214.md?p=12) any [alcoholic beverage](/usc/27/214.md?p=1) unless the [container](/usc/27/214.md?p=5) of such beverage bears the following statement:

  “GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink [alcoholic beverages](/usc/27/214.md?p=1) during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of [alcoholic beverages](/usc/27/214.md?p=1) impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause [health](/usc/27/214.md?p=6) problems.”.

- (b) **Conspicuous and prominent location of statement on container—** The statement required by [subsection (a)](#a) of this section shall be located in a conspicuous and prominent place on the [container](/usc/27/214.md?p=5) of such beverage, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/27/214.md?p=9), shall be in type of a size determined by the [Secretary](/usc/27/214.md?p=9), and shall appear on a contrasting background. The [Secretary](/usc/27/214.md?p=9) shall make such determinations within 90 days after November 18, 1988.
- (c) **Alcoholic beverages intended for export; beverages intended for Armed Forces of the United States—** [Subsection (a)](#a) of this section shall not apply with respect to [alcoholic beverages](/usc/27/214.md?p=1) that are manufactured, imported, bottled, or labeled for export from the [United States](/usc/27/214.md?p=12), or for delivery to a vessel or aircraft, as supplies, for consumption beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the [United States](/usc/27/214.md?p=12): Provided, That this exemption shall not apply with respect to [alcoholic beverages](/usc/27/214.md?p=1) that are manufactured, imported, bottled, or labeled for sale, distribution, or shipment to members or units of the Armed Forces of the [United States](/usc/27/214.md?p=12), including those located outside the [United States](/usc/27/214.md?p=12).
- (d) **Powers of Secretary; rules and regulations; consultation and coordination with Surgeon General—** The [Secretary](/usc/27/214.md?p=9) shall—
  - (1) have the power to—
    - (A) ensure the enforcement of the provisions of this subchapter, and
    - (B) issue regulations to carry out this subchapter, and
  - (2) consult and coordinate the [health](/usc/27/214.md?p=6) awareness efforts of the labeling requirements of this subchapter with the Surgeon General of the [United States](/usc/27/214.md?p=12).

## Source credit

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title II, § 204, as added Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, § 8001(a)(3), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4519.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The internal revenue laws of the United States, referred to in subsec. (c), are classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.