US Alcohol Labeling Laws

Food labeling is required for drinks. But beer is a drink. Wine is a drink. And when was the last time you bought a bottle of beer or wine that had a nutritional panel? Why are alcoholic drinks conspicuously exempt from US food labeling laws?

Due to this exemption, consumers are not able to make informed choices about the alcoholic beverages they ingest. This is in stark opposition to the standard US government policy of consumer empowerment. To rectify this anomaly, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act should be amended to require mandatory labeling for beer and wine.

The labels should be in the form of nutritional panels that detail calorie count, nutrient composition, and ingredients (highlighting any allergies).

CALORIE COUNT

A standard 750mL bottle of wine contains 644 calories, the equivalent of a McDonald's cheeseburger and medium fries. A 590mL bottle of coke contains 240 calories. Hence, by volume, wine is far higher in calories than Coca-cola. Why then is it mandatory for McDonald's to label the calorie content of the cheeseburger and fries, but wine and other alcohol producers get let off scott free? Why then has Mayor Bloomberg recently implemented a ban on any sodas bigger than 16 ounces, but done nothing to require labeling of alcohol?

Yes, studies have shown that although alcohol drinkers consume a higher daily calorie intake than non-drinkers, alcohol drinkers are not more obese than non-drinkers. Thus there does not appear to be the same direct correlation between alcohol consumption and obesity, as there is with fast food and sugary drinks consumption and obesity. Regardless, no one is arguing that a fruit salad is likely to lead to obesity. And yet fruit salad is not omitted from food labeling requirements. Equally, alcohol should not be omitted.

Alcohol comprises between 5% to 10% of the average adult American's daily energy intake. Given that alcohol is playing such a large role in our diet, it should be treated in the same way as any other food or beverage. That is, alcohol should be subject to food labeling laws.

NUTRIENT COMPOSITION

It is fairly universally understood that the calories in alcohol come from alcohol itself, and that straight alcohol contains very little carbohydrates, fats or protein. For this reason, alcohol is said to be a source of “empty calories”. But this is not 100% true. Alcohol does contain some nutritional value. For example, beer contains vitamin B6 and red wine contains resveratrol. But do the levels of these vitamins and phytonutrients vary greatly from brand to brand and vintage to vintage? Which beer or wine is best for those wishing to maximize their nutrient intake? Currently, there is no way for consumers to tell. Labeling would assist health conscious consumers to make informed decisions for the betterment of their personal health and well-being.

INGREDIENTS

In countries such as Brazil, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, a statement of ingredients is included on alcohol labels. In America, no such statement of ingredients is required. Why not? All food products contain a statement of ingredients. Discerning consumers are able to read this label and know what they will be ingesting. But, where alcohol is concerned, these same discerning consumers have no way of knowing what has gone into their drinks. Alcoholic drinks, particularly beer and wine, are often clarified using animal-derived substances such as gelatine (from bones and connective tissues), isinglass (from the swim bladders of fish), casein (from milk), chitosan (from crustaceans), and albumen (from eggs). Vegan alternatives exist, which are derived from clay or algae. And yet no labeling exists to indicate whether animal-derived or vegan alternatives have been used. Given that 1 million Americans are currently vegan, it would seem prudent to label alcohol so that vegans can at least gauge which alcoholic drinks are suitable to drink. Indeed, this may even benefit non-vegans who would be squeemish to know the wine they are drinking contains fish bladder or connective tissue.

ALLERGENS

Moreover, labeling of ingredients would assist persons with allergies. Many of the additives listed above, particularly casein, crustaceans, and eggs, are known allergens.

There is an argument that allergen levels from clarifying agents are extremely low, and neither activate the immune system nor induce anaphylaxis. However, if you were a particularly sensitive subject would you want to take the risk? Wouldn't you just rather know whether the wine you were about to drink contained casein or eggs or some other ingredient that, in the right amount, could send you into anaphylaxis?

Sulphur is an additive that can trigger asthma attacks and anaphylactic shock. Consequently, US labeling laws require the bottle to be labeled with the term “contains sulfites”. These laws simply need to be extended to encompass other allergens. In places such as Australia, Hong Kong, and the European Union, it is required that allergens be labeled. The United States should follow suit.

CONCLUSION

Now that the vending machines have been tackled, it is time for Obama to turn his attention to the liquor stores and bars. His recent amendments to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are good, but there is still work to be done.