SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah's liquor regulators are moving to pull flavored malt beverages from grocery and convenience store shelves, said the Associated Press.
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission voted 5-0 to direct staff members to prepare a regulation that allows only state liquor stores to stock the alcoholic drinks.
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff had urged Utah legislators to crack down, but liquor commissioners said they can do it on their own. "The rule is within our authority to make," Commissioner Bobbie Coray said. "[image-nocss] We don't need to run to the legislature for every little thing."
Commissioner Kathryn Balmforth called the legislature "a meat grinder" easily influenced by the liquor industry, and said there was no guarantee lawmakers would act.
Shurtleff said the drinks are flavored and packaged to appeal to minors, who can't buy them. Yet Shurtleff insisted minors were the main consumers of malt drinks, which have the same amount of alcohol as store-bought beer in Utah.
"I'm grateful that the DABC [Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control] recognizes the concern of youth access to 'alcopops', Shurtleff said. "These drinks are not beer and should not be sold like beer. Unfortunately most of these drinks are being consumed by kids and the alcohol industry needs to stop the deception concerning the way these drinks are manufactured and marketed.
The liquor commission is moving to classify the beverages as hard liquor that can be sold only at the 38 state liquor stores and 100 rural package agencies across Utah.
Allen Whittle, vice president of the Utah Hospitality Association, said the crackdown will worsen Utah's image as a place where it can be hard to find a drink. Wine and hard liquor can be served only at some restaurants and at members-only private clubs.
Jim Olsen, president of the Utah Food Industry Association, said the new regulation was unnecessary. "Obviously, we want to keep it the way it is," he said. "We don't think the consumers are all that confused."
Commissioners also discussed the proper labeling of malted beverages and beer sold in grocery and convenience stores, as well as signage to make clear that the beverages are alcoholic, reported The Deseret Morning News.
Commissioners approved publication of a rule that would require the labels on all alcohol-containing drinks in the state to clearly read either "beer" or "alcoholic beverage" to avoid confusion for customers who may unknowingly purchase beverages, particularly energy drinks, that contain alcohol.
"It has to clearly put the public on notice that it is an alcoholic beverage," said Earl Dorius, the DABC's regulatory director, who drafted the proposed rule.
The group also voted to recommend legislation that would require retailers selling beer, malt beverages or alcohol-containing energy drinks to display signs warning consumers that the drinks may contain alcohol.
Click here to view hearing notice.
Click here to view Shurtleff's presentation.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.