MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Representatives Ford, Moody

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. As used in this act, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:

(a) "Bottler" means any person who places malt beverages in containers of a capacity of one (1) gallon or less.

(b) "Packer" means any person who places malt beverages in containers of a capacity in excess of one (1) gallon.

SECTION 2. The purpose of this act is to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the State of Mississippi by requiring full disclosure in the labeling of malt beverage products.

SECTION 3. Before the importation or distribution of malt beverages by a brewer or importer of malt beverages in this state, the brewer or importer may comply with the label disclosure provisions specified in this section. If any malt beverages are bottled or packed for the use or benefit of a person or entity other than the actual bottler or packer, or a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, the following may be displayed on the label of the container in which the malt beverage is placed: (a) the name and address of the bottler or packer; and (b) the words "brewed and bottled for," "bottled for," or "distributed by," followed by the name and address of the person for whom, or the entity for which, the malt beverage was bottled or packed by the bottler or packer.

SECTION 4. Section 67-3-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-51. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, or offer to sell, or keep for sale any bottled beer or bottled light wine except the same be in the original bottle or in the original package containing bottles, each of which bottles shall bear the original label and the full name of the brewer or manufacturer of the contents of such bottle, both on the label and on the cap or cork of such bottle in the case of beer, and on the label only in the case of light wine.

It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, or offer for sale, or keep for sale any beer or light wine in the original package or packages unless each such original package (whether barrel or other container, and whether containing liquor in bottles or otherwise) shall have plainly stamped on the container or label for each such container the full name of the manufacturer of the liquor therein contained.

It shall be unlawful for any person to sell on draught any beer or light wine except the same be drawn from the original barrel or other container, which such container shall have plainly stamped on each end thereof the full name of the manufacturer of such liquor.

Brewers or importers of malt beverages in this state also may be subject to the label disclosure provisions under Sections 1 through 3 of House Bill No. 1614, 1997 Regular Session.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.