Double Standards in Brussels: How the EU Is Fooling Citizens on Alcohol Labelling
EU Wine Labelling Reform Risks Weakening Consumer Protection and EU Law
The European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare) expresses serious concern over the recently proposed EU wine labelling measures, particularly those applying to no- and low-alcohol wines. These proposals, included in the draft 'Wine Package' proposed by the European Commission and currently under discussion in the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, could directly contradict Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC Regulation).
Under the FIC Regulation, alcoholic beverages under 1.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) are required to carry a full ingredients list and nutritional information on-pack—just like any other food product on the EU internal market. The Commission’s draft wine labelling proposals appear to sidestep this requirement by:
- Introducing the possibility to provide ingredient information via QR codes instead of on-label
- Proposing sector-specific marketing terms such as “zero alcohol”, “alcohol-free” and “low alcohol content”, none of which are defined in the FIC Regulation
- Replacing standard labelling terms such as “partially dealcoholised”
- Requiring the indication of the dealcoholisation method
Eurocare is deeply concerned that DG AGRI and the European Commission are pushing forward wine labelling measures without following proper democratic procedures. These proposals have bypassed broad consultation and lack a required impact assessment, an omission that undermines transparency, stakeholder inclusion, and public trust. Decisions affecting consumer rights, public health, and the EU internal market must be taken through inclusive and accountable processes. The contrast with how other sectors are regulated raises a clear question: *Deux poids, deux mesures?* This is not acceptable.
“For years, the European Commission has used the ‘need for impact assessment’ as a convenient excuse to stall long-overdue labelling for alcoholic beverages under the FIC Regulation. Yet now, on the very same issue, it is discarding its own Better Regulation principles, rushing through wine-specific labelling changes with no assessment, no consultation, and no transparency. This is not just a breach of public trust; it is a blatant double standard. Citizens deserve coherent and consistent rules, not policies shaped to please industry lobbies. Sidestepping due process on a major public health issue undermines democratic accountability. And at a time when the EU is questioning the legitimacy of civil society voices, it seems disturbingly comfortable taking its cues from powerful alcohol producers.” said Florence Berteletti, Eurocare Secretary General
The Commission’s pledged under the 2021 Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to amend the FIC Regulation and introduce mandatory ingredient and nutritional labelling on all alcoholic beverages and this remains unfulfilled. Meanwhile, wine-specific exemptions are advancing rapidly without justification. Eurocare and partners raised this during the 2024 European Awareness Week on Alcohol Related Harm (AWARH), emphasising citizens' right to know what they consume. Voluntary industry commitments have failed—it is time for coherent, citizen-centred EU policy.
The proposed labelling measures appear to stem directly from the High-Level Group on Wine Policy, where civil society and public health voices have been excluded. Eurocare has repeatedly expressed concern over this process. The Group’s stated focus on agricultural challenges and opportunities cannot be credibly addressed without acknowledging the public health consequences of alcohol production and consumption. Excluding these aspects is a major oversight, especially in light of the EU’s commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Stakeholder participation in the High-Level Group has been limited to dominant industry narratives, which undermines the credibility and inclusiveness of its outcomes. Eurocare has argued that aligning wine policy discussions with the EU’s Impact Assessment framework, (considering economic, social, and environmental consequences) would ensure a balanced and coherent approach. Public health, agriculture, environment and market perspectives must be integrated, in line with the One Health principles. We also believe that the Health Commissioner, health ministers, WHO experts and public health professionals should be involved in shaping the future of wine policy.
The WHO European Region has the highest proportion of drinkers and alcohol consumption globally. Alcohol is a leading cause of more than 200 diseases, including seven types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and liver cirrhosis. It causes nearly 1 million deaths each year in the region. Its impact begins early in life, including through fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which are 100% preventable. Alarmingly, alcohol is responsible for 1 in 4 deaths among people aged 20–24, significantly affecting life expectancy, productivity, and economic development.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Florence Berteletti, Director of Eurocare, or Anamaria Suciu, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Eurocare.
Email:
Phone number: +32 496 124 302
Email:
Phone number: +32 485 78 31 22
Notes to journalists
- The European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare) is the only alliance of national, pan-European, and international NGOs dedicated solely to EU policy advocacy and analysis aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. Members engage in advocacy, research, public information, and community-based services. Our mission is to promote policies that prevent and reduce alcohol related harm, emphasising the message that "less is better" regarding alcohol consumption. Eurocare represents 56 non-governmental and public health organisations across 21 European countries.
- Alcohol labelling refers to the indication of the energy value, full nutrition declaration and list of ingredients on the labels of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol health warnings refer to labelling requirements designed to inform consumers about the risks associated with alcohol consumption (e.g. “alcohol causes cancer”). The Beating Cancer Plan roadmap includes policy initiatives related to both. The FIC Regulation revision only includes alcohol labelling.
- Did you know? In the EU, drinks containing more than 1.2% alcohol are exempt from mandatory ingredient and nutrition labelling? What is being hidden?
- Did you know? Consumers in the EU can always find calorie info on non-alcoholic drink labels, but not on alcoholic ones? Why are consumers kept in the dark?
- Eurocare’s Alcohol Labelling & Health Warnings Position Paperdescribes the simple and straightforward stance of our network: alcohol products should provide nutritional and ingredient information in line with other products sold to consumers, and consumers should be informed of the most important health risks of products which have a substantial impact on their health. The alcohol industry is opposed to providing information to consumers and are employing various strategies to avoid it, such as denying and discounting the effects of alcohol, deflecting discussions and delaying progress towards labelling regulation. Citizens rightly expect to see information relevant to their consumption decisions on the product.
- In 2021, The European Commission's Beating Cancer Plan made a "political commitment to leave no stone unturned to take action against cancer". As part of this commitment, the Commission promised to propose an amendment to the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 to mandate ingredient and nutritional labelling on all alcoholic beverages by the end of 2022. However, the proposal was not released during the previous Commission’s mandate, and both EU citizens and MEPs are still waiting for action. In addition, a separate initiative to introduce health warnings on alcoholic beverages was promised by the end of 2023, but there was also a delay with the health warning proposal.
- The WHO European Region has the highest proportion of drinkers and the highest intake of alcohol in the world. Consumption of alcohol is a preventable risk factor that can cause premature death and over 200 diseases including seven types of cancer, neuropsychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cirrhosis of the liver and several infectious diseases.
- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States including the EU, includes specific targets related to reducing alcohol harm. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which aims to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,” contains Target 3.5: "Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol." This target is accompanied by Indicator 3.5.2, which tracks alcohol consumption per capita.
Alcohol-related harm is also closely linked to many other SDGs, such as: SDG 3.4 – reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs)- SDG 5 – gender equality (due to links between alcohol and gender-based violence) - SDG 8 – economic growth and productivity - SDG 10 – reducing inequalities - SDG 16 – promoting peaceful and inclusive societies - The EU’s approach to alcohol labelling and policy coherence should align with these international commitments, especially when shaping agricultural and health-related regulations. The omission of public health considerations in key discussions contradicts the integrated approach envisioned in the SDGs.
- The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Policy Statement Reducing Alcohol Harms 2023 - including recommendations for policymakers.
- Research reports “Alcohol and the Brain”
- Health warning labels on alcoholic beverages in the WHO European Region in 2024