In response to a request from food ministers, FSANZ has been exploring energy labelling of alcoholic beverages.
In June 2021, FSANZ completed an evidence assessment, including a literature review on consumer value, understanding and behaviour relating to energy labelling of alcoholic beverages, which:
- identified that, unlike most other packaged food and beverages, labels on most packaged alcoholic beverages do not provide information about energy content to enable consumers to make informed choices in line with dietary guidelines, and
- concluded that in the context of Australian and New Zealand dietary guidelines and ministerial policy guidance, labelling is an appropriate approach to address this issue.
Read the evidence assessment and consumer literature review.
In December 2021, FSANZ completed a preliminary analysis of regulatory and non-regulatory options for energy labelling of packaged alcoholic beverages to identify a preferred approach. This included targeted consultation with industry, public health, consumer and jurisdictional stakeholders. The key outcomes were:
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on-label energy content information is the best option to address the problem and is generally supported by stakeholders as the preferred option
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a shortened nutrition information panel (NIP), containing average energy content only, appears to be the most appropriate format for labelling of alcoholic beverages and was preferred by most stakeholders, and
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a mandatory approach would provide greater coverage and consistency for consumers and provide regulatory certainty and a level playing field for the alcohol industry.
Read the report on the options analysis for energy labelling of alcoholic beverages.
Based on the findings of this work, FSANZ has prepared Proposal P1059 - Energy labelling on alcoholic beverages to consider changing the Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code to provide energy labelling information on alcoholic beverages.
Background
The Australian Dietary Guidelines and the Eating and Activity Guidelines for New Zealand Adults recommend limiting alcohol intake to assist in managing body weight.
In August 2019, Ministers asked FSANZ to consider energy labelling of alcoholic beverages
Subsequently, in August 2020 Ministers endorsed the Policy Guideline on Food Labelling to Support consumers to Make Informed Healthy Choices