SB379 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mark Slade Blackwell

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Beverages, labels, obscuring, removing, or rendering illegible information on labels, prohibited, storing or transporting any beverage product with label that is obscured, removed, or illegible, prohibited, penalties, Secs. 20-1-5, 20-1-27 am'd.

Summary

SB379 makes it illegal to obscure or render illegible any required information on beverage labels, packaging, or containers, and bans storing or transporting such beverages, with penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, it prohibits obscuring, removing, or rendering illegible production information, best-by dates, or other disclosures on beverage labels and containers, and bans storing or transporting beverages with such illegible labeling. There are exceptions for alterations made by the brand owner or an authorized manufacturer, and for alcoholic beverages, as well as nonprofit or noncommercial entities. Violations can result in fines: up to $500 per offense, or up to $5,000 for large-scale violations (200 units or more). The term 'unit' means a single beverage package or container, and the law becomes effective the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

Who It Affects

• Beverage manufacturers, brand owners, and authorized manufacturers — must ensure labels and disclosures remain legible and not altered in ways that obscure information.
• Retailers, distributors, and transportation entities — prohibited from storing or transporting beverages with obscured or illegible labeling; must comply with readability requirements.
• Businesses and individuals who violate the labeling rules — face fines up to $500 per offense, or up to $5,000 for large-scale violations (200 units or more).
• Nonprofit or other noncommercial organizations — benefit from exemptions found in the statute for certain prohibitions.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits obscuring, removing, or rendering illegible any information on beverage labels, packages, or containers related to production information, best-before dates, or other disclosures.
• Stores or transports beverage products with obscured, removed, or illegible labeling are prohibited, with specified exemptions.
• Penalties: fines up to $500 per offense; offenses involving 200 units or more under 20-1-27(a)(3) or (4) carry fines up to $5,000; 'unit' is defined as a single beverage package or container.
• Exemptions: alterations by the brand owner's rights holder or an authorized manufacturer; applies to alcoholic beverages; does not apply to nonprofit or noncommercial organizations for certain provisions.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Food