MEPs call for calorie information on spirits bottles

European Parliament’s Health Committee has called for ingredients and calorie information to be listed on alcoholic drinks under the new EU Alcohol Strategy.

MEPs have called for calorie information to be printed on all spirits bottles

This week, the committee voted in favour of a resolution for the strategy to be put into action for 2016-2022, emphasising the importance of “better labeling” across the industry.

“Many people have no idea just how many calories are in alcoholic drinks, unless they are determined enough to search on the company’s website,” said MEP Glenis Willmott.

“This is unacceptable and the vote today paved the way to recognise the need of consumers to take informed decisions when it comes to alcohol consumption.”

The resolution will now be tabled for approval by the full European Parliament Plenary, which Eurocare – the European Alcohol Policy Alliance – claims all MEPs should support.

“Alcohol-related harm costs at least Europe 2-3% of GDP, mostly from lost productivity. Real costs to society are likely double that, as that figure does not include costs to anyone other than the drinker,” said Mariann Skar, secretary general of Eurocare.

The pledge comes five months after a group of EU ambassadors, MEPs and producers said increasing alcohol labelling and excise tax may not be the answer to tackling counterfeiting and health issues.

The first EU Alcohol Strategy was brought in by the European Commission from 2006 to 2012 and outlined a strategy to support member states in reducing alcohol-related harm.

Eurocare penned an open letter to European Parliament urging MEPs to put public health at the forefront of any amendments to the strategy.

In 2011, Eurocare, along with 88 other European organisations, called for a comprehensive Alcohol Policy Strategy from 2013 to 2020.

Last month, the UK’s House of Lords criticised the EU’s alcohol strategy and urged member states to focus on labelling and taxation to tackle alcohol-related harm.

Diageo later became the first multi-national drinks group to pledge to print the calorie content and other nutritional information on all of its products, per typical serve.