We have heard for a
long time the involvement of the FDA in nutritional labeling practices for food.
Up until now, they have excluded alcoholic beverages from the same criteria of
labeling as food. It has recently made the announcement that it will allow for
nutritional labeling to be included on alcoholic beverages. These changes were
brought about in part because of the liquor mogul Beam Global. In order to
prove their Skinnygirl Brand of Wines, actually contains just 100 calories,
instead of the normal 110 or more for each 5 oz. serving, they have to be able
to include the ingredients. Though this is an action not supported by other
alcohol bottlers, it will be voluntary to begin with. Most non-supporters are
concerned this is the first step towards mandatory label requirements.
The alcohol laws in
the U.S. are still reflecting a lack of oversight from the years of alcohol
being banned. The unquestionably unequal law is obvious. An example is today,
if you sell “food” such as a fruit flavored drink, you have to list the
ingredients as well as the nutritional information. But if you use that same
fruit to make an alcoholic beverage, you are then subject to regulations of the
Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau.
With the lack of
participation in this process, consumers have stood to ask the questions like “Does
this beverage contain GMO’s or Animal Products?” Currently, it is just a
guessing game to figure out if their beers are vegan enough or GMO free enough
to purchase. Smaller specialty brewers are trustworthy and are locally
available.
When it comes to Wine,
it has not been excluded from the discussion either. Whether outrageously
expensive or the bottle on the refrigerator shelf at the local wine store, it
could contain up to 200 different additives. That is the number the U.S.
currently sets as a limit for any additives in the wine produced here.
Winemakers who see the
importance of “real ingredient” labeling, are in front of the efforts to get
the wine and alcohol producers to see the value as well.
Randall Graham-Founder
of Bonny Doon has listed everything on his labels since 2007. Even something as
minor as water was listed. Another leader in the labeling movement is Paul
Draper. He is a famed minimalist Winemaker, who also believes ingredients
should be on the bottles of wine. These two are just a small percentage of the
growing support for this type of transparency. It would appear consumer support
is positive as well.
It is not a consensus
however. Adding extras to the manufacturing of products in this market are a
normal process that hides a multitude of mistakes and adds flavoring not
retained in the finish product, normally. It is reasonable to see why this
would be the case. So many of the additives are toxic on their own and that
couldn’t be the best news to publicize.
Real Ingredient Labeling
for alcoholic beverages is something that is trying to catch up with today’s
standards. Until recently, most people have not been concerned about the
ingredients in their alcohol, but that has started to change as well. Today’s
consumer is smarter and more concerned with what’s in their food & drinks.
With this new train of thought, it is inevitable for better labeling practices
to be ignored.
The reward for this thinking will filter throughout the industry
with wineries for taking more care in providing additive free or additive limited
products. Consumers will buy more beverages that are labeled with “real
ingredient” information. There will also be a reward to the label manufacturing
market. Their involvement in this transition is critical to the excellence
expected in the future. Changing both the details of the labels and the sizing
requirements will require skilled companies who specialize in food or beverage
labeling, to get even more involved in their wine and alcohol manufacturers
planning process.
Authorized for reprint by Rose Richmond by
Labels Fort Worth
