Standards of fill for distilled spirits in the US are now the same for cans and other containers, after the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) amended regulations last week.

Canmakers and fillers commented on the proposals to change regulations and believed the distinction between cans and other containers was outdated.

After reviewing comments, the government department that regulates alcohol – the TTB – determined there was no basis in maintaining the distinction for the purposes of consumer protection. 

“As some commenters note, consumers are already familiar with comparing net contents labels on other foods and beverages to determine if one package contains more product than another, regardless of the shape or material of the packaging,” the TTB said.

In addition, the TTB authorised 15 additional standards of fill for distilled spirits, and 13 for wine containers, increasing the options available to metal packaging manufacturers.

The extra standards of fill for distilled spirits are 187ml, 250ml, 331ml, 350ml, 355ml, 475ml, 500ml, 570ml, 700ml, 710ml, 945ml, 1.5l, 2l, 3l, and 3.75l.

For wine, the new standards are 180ml, 300ml, 330ml, 360ml, 473ml, 550ml, 568ml, 600ml, 620ml, 700ml, 720ml, 1.8l, and 2.25l. 

US canmaker Ball Corporation supported widening the standards, commenting that the 710ml and 945ml measures for distilled spirits in cans, for example, provided a way to promote ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails. Adding 331ml to the approved standards of fill would aid greater operational efficiency, it added.

However, among detractors, the Mexican Chamber of the Tequila Industry said introducing a wide range of bottle sizes would present challenges to forecasting demand and managing inventory levels, potentially leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.