Alcohol Labels to Include Allergen and Nutritional Info
The U.S. Treasury Department is considering new proposals that could revolutionize the way alcohol is labeled, bringing it more in line with the transparency seen in food products. If approved, labels on alcohol could soon include detailed information on allergens and nutritional value, a significant change that has been long sought after by public health and consumer advocates.
What’s in the Proposed Rules?
The proposed rules, published by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), consist of two main components. The first rule would introduce an “Alcohol Facts” box, similar to the “Nutrition Facts” found on food products, to provide drinkers with essential information about serving sizes, calories, carbohydrates, protein, and fats. The second rule would require companies to disclose if their alcohol products contain any major food allergens, such as milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, and sesame.
The Impact on Consumers and Industry
These proposals represent a significant step towards providing consumers with the information they need to make informed choices, follow health guidelines, and avoid allergic reactions. Eva Greenthal, senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, emphasized the importance of these rules in helping consumers navigate their alcohol consumption wisely.
Industry Response and Future Steps
While some in the industry have advocated for the use of QR codes or website references to provide this information, public health advocates argue that such methods could create barriers to accessing crucial details. The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. emphasized the need for flexibility in how information is presented to consumers, highlighting the importance of clear and accessible labeling on alcohol products.
Overall, these proposals aim to bring greater transparency and accountability to the alcohol industry, aligning it more closely with the standards seen in the food sector. As the debate continues over the best way to provide this information to consumers, one thing remains clear: the push for more comprehensive and informative alcohol labels is gaining momentum, and it’s a change that could have far-reaching effects for both drinkers and manufacturers alike.