Alcohol industry fails to comply with self-regulation

The European Union has the highest rate of alcohol consumption in the world, with 55 million people drinking alcohol to harmful levels and 23 million of these considered as addicted. Apart from their alcohol content, alcoholic beverages are also high in energy which can have an impact on daily diets. A new report from the UK calls for a mandatory role in alcohol labelling in order to ensure compliance by the alcohol industry.


In 2007, the UK government and alcohol industry agreed on a voluntary scheme that should include information such as the number of units contained in the beverage, safe daily drinking limits and a warning for pregnant women. Currently, the conclusions of the PolMark project demonstrate that the alcohol industry is happy with self-regulation - but overall the system is not working as well as it should.

"We know that too many [people] are drinking at harmful levels, and producers should play their part in helping to stem this tide by ensuring we all have access to clear and consistent health information on labels." Gillian Merron, UK Minister of State for Public Health

[The UK report found>http://www.dh.gov.uk/dr_consum_dh/g...]] only 15% of drinks provide enough information about units and health harms, a report found, which creates doubts on the alcohol industry’s capacity to play the socially responsible role it would like to claim. Several members of the UK government expressed their disappointment regarding the current situation.

Gillian Merron said: "Whilst there should be no need to bring in legislation when the industry can clearly sort it out themselves, we will not hesitate to act decisively if industry does not deliver”. The UK Department of Health added it will consider mandatory labelling if voluntary agreements fail.

These statements were followed by the Scottish Government which announced, coinciding with the launch of a consultation on alcohol labelling, that mandatory labelling would represent a strong position if compliance with the existing voluntary scheme did not improve.

For further information:

- Marketing food and beverages to children: findings from the PolMark project

EPHA related articles:

- EPHA position paper on Food Labelling
- The Social Cost of Alcohol : Passive drinking – Eurocare event
- *Updated* WHO Global Strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol
- European injury prevention network issues "Alcohol and Injuries" statement
- Council Conclusions on Alcohol and Health

Last modified on March 11 2010.