Labels on food and drinks are important. They're how we find out about what we're bringing into our homes and putting into our bodies. That's why UK and EU law insists that we have detailed information on most products, especially food and drink.
Alcohol is a risk factor for liver disease, mental health problems and seven forms of cancer. It plays a part in one death every 20 minutes in the UK. You might expect that it would be subject to even stricter rules than other food and drink – but it's not. The law requires only limited information about volume, strength and allergens to be displayed. Health warnings, calories, ingredients and units are only 'recommended' – meaning that this information is often missing or incomplete.
Our vision is a world free from alcohol harm. A key part of that is ensuring we have fair, consistent marketing rules which give consumers the information they need to make informed choices.
And we're at a key moment in the fight for proper labelling. 1 September 2019 saw the deadline for alcohol producers to remove the old low-risk drinking guidelines, which went out of date three years ago, from packaging – but will they comply?
It's time to hold alcohol producers to account. Over the coming year, we will be monitoring the labels on alcoholic drinks to see whether producers are honouring the new guidelines and giving consumers the information they need and deserve.
Sign up to stay in the loop, and find out how you can support our calls for better alcohol labelling.
Help us reduce the harm caused by alcohol. Together we can change and save lives.
