2. Product Categories

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Beers, RTDs, Whisky
Mongolia

This section provides the regulatory definition of the food category in scope, or the appropriate food category for the product in scope. Additionally, it provides the food products that belong to this food category along with the definition and specific information on each of these types of food products.

2.1 Category Name & Definition

General Food

The definition for "Food/Foodstuff" laid down in Article 3.1.1 of the Food Law of 1999 covers raw materials, intermediate products, foodstuff, beverages, and drinking water that provide nourishment necessary to cover energy losses of a human body, its growth, and development [1].

"Food product" shall mean bottled water, all types of beverages, chewing gum, and food supplements [2].

Category Name

Alcohol or Alcoholic Beverages

"Alcohol”, as described by Article 4.1 Law on the control of alcoholic beverages and combating alcohol abuse, refers to alcohol produced from food-grade raw materials, all types of alcohol, wine, and beer, regardless of the denomination with a hardness of more than 2% [3]. "Hardness" means the amount of ethanol contained in alcoholic beverages expressed as a percentage by volume [3].

“Alcoholic beverages” means non-carbonated or carbonated beverage prepared by blending and packaging raw materials from grains, edible and medicinal plants, fruits, and vegetables. This includes products like wine, liqueurs, vodka, whisky, cognac, brandy, rum, beer, citric acid, sugar syrup, and other food additives, and packaged in an industrial manner [6].

Prohibition of Alcohol Consumption [3]:

The following groups of people are prohibited from consuming alcohol:

Drivers - Individuals operating any vehicle.
People under 21 years of age.
Pregnant Individuals.

It is illegal to force others to consume alcohol. If someone forces another person to drink, they may be held accountable for any harm resulting from the coerced individual's intoxication.

2.2 Product & Definition

1) Beer

Definition

The definition of beer is covered by Section 4 of the General Technical Requirements on Various types of beer, MNS 0181:2017 [4]. Several types of beers are defined:

Beer: A low-alcohol, foamy beverage with a distinct taste, smell, and color, made from malt juice and edible raw materials.
Light Beer: beer with a color range of 2 to 20 EBC.
Dark Beer: beer with a color range of 21 to 60 EBC.
Black Beer: beer with a color value above 61 EBC.
Unique Beer: beer with special characteristics made using specific technology and additional food-grade raw materials beyond malt, hops, and water.
Top Fermentation Beer: beer brewed at 20-36°C using special fermentation methods.
Bottom Fermentation Beer: beer brewed at 9-14°C using specific fermentation methods.
Filtered, Sterilized Beer: beer that undergoes pasteurization, filtration, clarification, and wort separation.
Filtered, Unsterilized Beer: beer that is filtered, clarified, and separated from the wort but not pasteurized.
Unsterilized Beer: beer that is neither pasteurized, filtered, nor clarified.
Unsterilized, Unfiltered Beer: beer that is not pasteurized, filtered, clarified, or separated from the wort.
Non-Alcoholic Beer: beer with an alcohol content of less than 0.5%

Specifications/Target Age

See “Prohibition of Alcohol Consumption” in Section 2.1 above.

Additional Information

N/A.

2) Alcoholic Ready-to-drink beverages

Definition

There are two references applicable to Alcoholic Ready-to-Drink (RTD) beverages:

According to Section 4.7 of the Technical General Requirements on Alcoholic Soft Drinks (MNS 5984-2009), alcoholic soft drinks are defined as beverages containing 5.0–12.0% ethyl alcohol, with a sugar content of 0–10.0 g/100 cm³. They are prepared from fruit juices and extracts and may be carbonated, with no more than 0.65% carbon dioxide, or non-carbonated [5].
Additionally, the specific standards for alcoholic soft drinks, MNS 5253:2003, define them as beverages produced using raw materials such as grains, food and medicinal plants, and fruit-based ingredients, including wine, liqueur, vodka, whiskey, cognac, brandy, rum, beer, citric acid, sugar syrup, and other food additives. These beverages are manufactured and packaged and can be either carbonated or non-carbonated. Table 2, section 5.3 of MNS 5253:2003 specifies the alcohol content of the product as 2 - 9% [6].

In conclusion, Chuhai drinks with 3–9% alcohol fall under the category of "Alcohol," with the specific product name designated as "alcoholic soft drinks."

Specifications/Target Age

See “Prohibition of Alcohol Consumption” in Section 2.1 above.

Additional Information

N/A.

3) Whisky

Definition

Whiskey is not specifically defined in legislation. However, according to the definition of “Hard Liquor” in Section 4.1.1 of the General technical requirements on Liqueurs and liqueur-type alcohol, MNS 5984- 2009 [5], whiskey can be classified in this group. Indeed, according to this definition, 'hard liquor' is described as alcoholic beverages containing 35-45% ethanol, with sugar content not less than 25 g/100 cm³, produced using raw materials of plant and animal origin, along with added aromas and flavors.

Specifications/Target Age

See “Prohibition of Alcohol Consumption” in Section 2.1 above.

Additional Information

Prohibition of Alcohol Consumption, Sale, and Serving in Mongolia according to the Law on control of the circulation of alcoholic beverages and combating alcoholism [3]:

Prohibited locations for alcoholic beverage consumption, sale, and service:
- Government and Non-Government Offices: Alcohol consumption, sale, or service is not allowed.
- Enterprise Premises: Except for licensed establishments, alcohol is prohibited in offices and production areas.
- Educational and Health Institutions: Kindergartens, schools, hospitals, sanatoriums, and student accommodations.
- Public Spaces: Streets, squares, gardens, apartment hallways, public transport, and markets.
- Transport Hubs: Areas outside approved points at train stations, airports, etc.
Restrictions on Licensed Establishments:
- Employment Restrictions: Persons under 18 cannot be employed to handle alcoholic beverages.
- Age Limit for Service: Alcohol cannot be sold or served to individuals under 21 or intoxicated persons.
Prohibitions on Individuals:
- Drivers: Alcohol consumption is banned for individuals operating vehicles.
- Minors: Persons under 21 are not allowed to consume alcohol.
- Forced Consumption: Encouraging or coercing someone under 21 to drink is prohibited.
General Prohibitions:
- Compensation and Rewards: Alcohol cannot be used as a reward or substitute for wages.
- Forgery: Imitation or illegal use of alcohol labels is banned.
- Operating Nightclubs: Establishments in educational or health institutions are prohibited.
- Sale Hours: Alcohol sales are banned between 00:00 and 06:00 in licensed establishments.
Access to Alcohol for Minors:
- Parents, guardians, or teachers are prohibited from facilitating or funding alcohol consumption for individuals under 18.