Should There Be Calorie Content On Alcohol?

EU will vote whether or not to make calorie labels for alcoholic drinks mandatory.

18:11 29 April 2015

The European Parliament is set to vote on whether they will make calorie labels for alcoholic drinks mandatory. The move came after public health experts say that it is needed to bring down obesity rate. 

 

Currently, alcoholic drinks that contain more than 1.2per cent alcohol by volume are exempted from EU regulations on nutritional labeling. Should the MEPs decide to vote in favour, the new proposals will become a law after months or even years. 

 

Glenis Willmott, MEP for the East of England, said: "Europe is still the heaviest-drinking region in the world but many people don't realise that a large glass of wine contains the same number of calories as a slice of cake.

 

"In order to reduce the burden of alcohol-related harm, we must make sure people are given clear information to enable them to make informed choices."

 

Fiona Sim, chairwoman of the Royal Society for Public Health, says: "Information provided to consumers must be honest and useful. There is no reason why calories in alcohol should be treated any differently from those in food."