Health chiefs might UP ‘alcohol-free’ ABV limit to 0.5% in push to get Brits to cut back on booze

By Liam On Sep 27, 2023

More drinks could be labeled ‘alcohol-free’ as part of an initiative to encourage Brits to cut back on booze.

Officials have launched a public consultation on increasing the alcohol by volume (ABV) threshold for drinks considered ‘alcohol-free’ from 0.05 percent to 0.5 percent.

If the agreement is granted, many more low-alcohol variants of beer, wine and prosecco would officially receive the title.

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Health chiefs hope the move will encourage tens of thousands of Brits to opt for a non-alcoholic drink and normalize booze alternatives.

One in five adults in England drinks more than the guideline of 14 units per week – around six medium glasses of wine or six pints of four percent beer.

For example, Lucky Saint, with an alcohol content of 0.5 percent, Brewdog Alcohol Free Punk (0.5 percent) and Beavertown Lazer Crush Alcohol Free IPA (0.3 percent) could all be officially labeled.

Consistently drinking above this level for years increases the risk of cancer, stroke, heart disease, liver disease and brain damage, studies show.

As it stands in Britain, drinks must have an alcohol content of 0.

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05 percent or lower to be officially labeled ‘alcohol-free’.

Drinks under 1.2 percent are ‘low-alcohol’. This threshold value is not currently being revised.

The consultation will seek views on whether Britain should follow the US, Denmark, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Portugal and Belgium in allowing drinks to have an alcohol content of 0.5 percent and be considered liquor-free are considered.

The higher threshold could see more alcohol-free and low-alcohol products on the market.

For example, Lucky Saint is 0.5 percent ABV. It is marketed as alcohol-free because it is made in Germany, despite only being considered ‘dealcoholised’ in Britain.

Brewdog Alcohol Free Punk (0.5 percent) and Beavertown Lazer Crush Alcohol Free IPA (0.3 percent) would also be officially labeled if the move goes through.

Officials say this could encourage thousands more people to choose a non-alcoholic or low alcohol drink to make healthier choices, moderate alcohol intake and normalize alternatives to alcohol.

How much alcohol is too much?

To keep the health risks of alcohol to a low level, the NHS advises men and women not to regularly drink more than 14 units per week.

A unit of alcohol is 8 g or 10 ml of pure alcohol, which amounts to:

half a pint of lager/beer/cider of lower to normal strength (ABV 3.6%)

a small dash (25 ml) of spirits (25 ml, ABV 40%)

A small glass (125 ml, ABV 12%) of wine contains approximately 1.5 units of alcohol.

But the NHS warns that the risk to your health increases if you drink alcohol regularly.

Short-term risks include injury, violent behavior and alcohol poisoning.

Long-term risks include heart and liver disease, stroke, as well as liver, colon, moth and breast cancer.

People who drink as much as 14 units per week are advised to spread this evenly over three or more days, rather than drinking too much.

Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant are advised not to drink to reduce the risks to the baby.

Source: NHS

In turn, the move could cut red tape and increase business productivity, making it easier for the industry to create non-alcoholic drinks, they claim.

Health Minister Neil O’Brien said: ‘Non and low alcohol drinks are becoming increasingly popular, and we want to further support their growth.

‘Many other countries in the world already allow more freedom in this regard.

‘Liberalizing labeling guidelines could also help people make more informed choices about the drinks they buy.

‘We want to encourage the growth of no- and low-alcohol alternatives for people who want to moderate their alcohol intake.’

The government said the drinks would not be marketed to children and should not be consumed by them. The consultation will explore what the industry can do to prevent young people from accessing these drinks, it added.

Officials are also asking for their input on whether labeling guidelines should be updated so that manufacturers clearly list the alcohol content of each no- or low-alcohol product on the bottle.

Marcos Salazar, CEO of the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA), said: “As the no and low alcohol category continues to grow and offer more choice to consumers looking to reduce their alcohol consumption, it is essential that there is consistency between the UK, European and other international labeling markets.’

Matt Lambert, CEO of The Portman Group, the trade group for alcoholic drinks manufacturers in Britain, said: ‘We welcome the new consultation, which we hope will help result in greater clarity on labels and the further uptake of low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks will be encouraged. alternatives.

‘Our annual survey repeatedly shows that these products are already helping UK consumers to moderate their alcohol consumption and prevent harm such as drink-driving.

“It is also an important opportunity to highlight manufacturers’ continued commitment to responsibly marketing and selling these products to adult consumers.”

Emma McClarkin OBE, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association said: ‘The BBPA has been calling on the Government for years to review descriptors for low alcohol consumption.

‘We welcome proposals to bring the descriptors of low alcohol consumption into line with those of almost all other global markets.

‘This will create a fairer trading environment for UK brewers and pub operators, drive innovation and growth in the low and no alcohol category and provide much-needed clarity for UK consumers.

‘The labeling of low alcohol drinks must be relevant and clear so that there is no confusion among consumers.’

Minister for Regulatory Reform, the Earl of Minto, said: ‘We want the public to know exactly what they are drinking and that is why the potential changes are so important.

‘This consultation will help deliver smarter regulation to ensure businesses are not overburdened, allowing businesses to focus on growth and innovation.’