State Senator David J. Cappiello, R-Danbury, is proposing legislation that would require the makers of alcoholic beverages to place nutrition labels on their products. According to Sen. Cappiello, the labeling would be similar to the nutrition markings currently found on food and other beverage products.

"This is about consistency in labeling," said Sen. Cappiello. "For some reason we require nutrition labels on everything except alcoholic beverages. I don't understand why these products should be any different than anything else we consume."

Sen. Cappiello said that he found it somewhat odd that a bottle of water would have a nutrition label whereas a bottle of wine does not. "There is something inconsistent here. If we require a label of nutrition facts to be placed on a bottle of water then how can we not require the same type of informational label to be placed on beverages containing alcohol? Perhaps by raising this bill we can get an answer to this question."

Sen. Cappiello, who serves as Ranking Member of legislature's General Law Committee (which has cognizance over the issue), said he believes that requiring new labeling would not place a significant burden on the producers of alcoholic beverages or their wholesalers. "This legislation just adds a label to their cans and bottles in the exact same manner we created labeling for soda and other soft drinks so there would be no ill-effect on their ability to market their product. It would however give more information to the consumer who is purchasing the product, which I believe is always a good thing."