Europe’s brewers commit to ingredients listing and nutrition information for consumers
It’s probably one of the best kept secrets that a glass of orange juice has more calories than a glass of alcohol-free beer. In view of Europe’s expanding waistlines, The Brewers of Europe, a lobby group, announced on 26 March 2015 that its members would voluntarily list ingredients and nutrition information on their brands per 100 ml. This is in line with the legal requirements for all non-alcoholic drinks, including non-alcoholic beer.
The information will progressively be provided across Europe on pack and/or online, utilising an expanding range of consumer communication platforms.
Pierre-Olivier Bergeron, Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe, said: “Brewers are immensely proud of the beers they brew and the ingredients used to produce them. We want Europe’s consumers to know the ingredients in beer and how these beers can fit within a balanced lifestyle. Brewers already label the alcohol content on their beer brands but we also agree with consumer groups that citizens would benefit from having access to the ingredients and nutrition information, allowing them to compare like-for-like facts with all the other beverages available to them, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic.”
As companies and national brewers associations consider the local applications of this commitment and roll it out as appropriate, The Brewers of Europe will set targets, report on the progress made, and showcase best practices. This action will also contribute to the implementation of the European Beer Pledge, a package of responsibility initiatives that was launched in the European Parliament in 2012.
All foods and beverages are covered by the EU Regulation on Food Information to Consumers. However, when it comes to ingredients listing and nutrition declarations, there is currently an exemption for alcoholic beverages of more than 1.2% ABV.
Nevertheless, many consumers logically want to be able to compare the ingredients and nutritional declarations amongst all beverages, which is why brewers will be going beyond current EU regulations and providing this information too, doing so per 100ml as is currently legally required for the rest of the food and drinks industry.
The European Commission is due to produce a report on the current exemption for alcoholic beverages over 1.2% ABV and the next steps for dealing with the issue. Should the Commission decide to bring the rules for alcoholic beverages into line with those for non-alcoholic beverages then it is absolutely essential that a level playing field be set amongst all alcoholic drinks.
