About: Big Alcohol
Outgoing Commissioner Andriukaitis suggests disbanding EU alcohol forum
The EU Alcohol and Health Forum (EAHF), which aims to tackle alcohol-related harm, should come to an end because its stakeholders have not been able to find common ground, the outgoing EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis has said.
Spirits industry bets on online tools for consumer information
The European spirits industry launched a new web portal on Tuesday (12 March) to provide more consumer information on liquors and other distillates. However, it is still unclear whether such initiatives are in line with the European Commission's objectives.
EU Commission seeks ‘quick fix’ solution on alcohol labelling proposals
The European Commission is pushing for a “quick fix” solution to the alcohol labelling deadlock before the end of its mandate, an official close to the issue told EURACTIV.com.
Plain packaging: ‘Brand-theft’ or better consumer protection?
The rising trend of imposing plain packaging on unhealthy products has raised eyebrows in the industry, which fears that its brands are under threat. The World Health Organisation, on the other hand, insists that the measure provides a long-term benefit for public health.
Alcohol labelling proposal fails to end debate on calories
The alcohol industry presented on 12 March their self-regulatory proposal on labelling, focusing on “flexibility” for wine, beer, spirits and cider. Alcohol makers will be free to decide whether to place information on the label, online or both.
Off-label proposals for alcohol labelling are not enough
Nutritional information should be clearly marked on the labels of alcohol products, and the off-label proposals being put forward by industry are not sufficient, writes Professor Markus Peck-Radosavljevic.
Alcohol industry’s labelling proposal prioritises ‘flexibility’
Producers will decide how best to convey alcohol information – either on the label and online or just on the internet, EURACTIV.com has learnt.
Pernod Ricard CEO: Alcohol tax ‘penalises’ responsible consumers
The decision to raise excise taxes on alcohol “penalises” the majority of consumers who drink responsibly, while those who have issues with alcohol will be unaffected as they will keep on drinking excessively, Alexandre Ricard told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
‘Responsible Party’ campaign tries to rekindle EU alcohol debate
It takes willingness from all sides in order to make the EU's Alcohol and Health Forum (EAHF) effective, a European Commission official has said, urging businesses and health NGOs to return to the discussion table.
‘Responsible Party’ has some impact on students’ drinking habits, report finds
'Responsible Party', an awareness-raising campaign against the excessive use of alcohol, has helped students consume less alcohol and improve their habits by drinking water too, a study has found.
Alcohol makers brace for EU-wide mandatory labelling
Makers of spirits and beer are exploring self-regulatory solutions to show consumers the ingredients contained in the alcohol they drink. However, they find the Commission's timeline "too tight" and fear mandatory rules will eventually be imposed on them.