When I go to the supermarket, I’m one of those shoppers that actually reads the labels. I typically peruse the list of ingredients first, and then move on to check out the number of grams of fat and fiber.
I’ve never given much thought to the notion of labels on alcoholic beverages, but the gift of information would be nice. For the time being, however, the federal government continues to delay a proposal to provide consumers with basic nutrition and alcohol facts on containers of beer, wine and spirits.
“Alcoholic beverages can contribute a significant amount of calories to the diet,” said Chris Waldrop, director of the Food Policy Institute at Consumer Federation of America (CFA). “Unfortunately for consumers wanting to watch their weight, they aren’t able to turn to the label to get the information they need, like they can with other food products.”
Alcoholic beverages are the only major category of consumable products not required to be labeled with information about even their basic characteristics. According to the CFA, labeling information can serve as a tool to help reduce alcohol abuse, drunk driving, obesity, and the many diseases attributable to excessive alcohol intake.
Because there hasn’t been any government action on labeling of alcoholic beverages, the CFA released a useful chart in 2008, comparing the calorie and alcohol content of several major brands of beer, wine and distilled spirits.
“Consumers need basic information about alcohol content to help them drink in moderation as recommended by the federal government and numerous health groups,” Waldrop said. “For example, consumers need to know that a 12 ounce bottle of beer has generally the same amount of alcohol as a 5 ounce glass of wine and 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.”
In 2007, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposed a rule to require a standardized “Alcohol Facts” panel on all beer, wine and distilled spirits products. Four years later, TTB has yet to finalize that proposal. CFA and other public interest groups have called on TTB to mandate alcohol information on a standardized label, including the serving size, number of servings per container, percentage alcohol by volume and the amount of alcohol (in fl oz) per serving, as well as calorie information. CFA has also urged TTB to require that alcoholic beverage labels contain a statement defining “moderate” drinking, derived from the U.S. Government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the definition of a standard drink.
The CFA advises consumers to remember the following:
1. It’s not what you drink, it’s how much that counts. Don’t be fooled into thinking that beer or wine is safer or less potent than the “hard stuff.” Remember, 12 ounces of beer has the same amount of alcohol as 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.
2. Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Eat food while you drink and alternate water or other nonalcoholic drinks with your alcoholic beverage.
3. In many cases, alcohol and medications don’t mix. Always read the label to determine if the prescription medicine or over-the-counter drug carries a specific warning about consuming alcohol.
4. If you’re going to be drinking when you go out, plan ahead of time how you will get home. Designate a driver, have a taxi number, and money ready to pay the taxi. Whatever you do, don’t drink and drive.
5. If you are hosting a party, keep an eye out for those who may have had too much to drink and planning to drive home. If necessary, take their keys and call a taxi.
6. Whether you are a parent, family member or a friend, don’t serve to or buy alcohol for people under 21.
For a long time, I have had a problem with the mixed message of #4 and #5. One says “Whatever you do, don’t drink and drive.” and the other says “…keep an eye out for those who may have had too much to drink and planning to drive home.”
So is the message: “Don’t drink and drive?” or is the message, “”Don’t drink too much and drive?” This is one of the reasons there is a DUI problem. People still think it’s OK to go out to a bar or party and drive home. It’s considered OK to have one or two drinks. Kids see grownups do it, so they do it too. I wish every parent would model the “no drinking and driving” rule for their kids.
There is a new ad campaign with the message: “You know when you’ve had way too many. But, do you know when you’ve had one too many? Don’t drink and drive.”
I teach my kids AND FOLLOW THE RULE MYSELF: Plan ahead — If you’re going to be driving, NO DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT ALL.
I know it is easier for our family to uphold that rule because we live in the city and can take public transportation, but I keep to that rule even when we’re in the suburbs and driving to a restaurant or party.
“Alcoholic beverages are the only major category of consumable products not required to be labeled with information about even their basic characteristics.”
Cigarettes?
The Sediment Blog
Meg- AT ALL? I agree with you when it comes to you and me (women, smaller, less ability to process) but come on? Are you really going to tell a 200 pound guy who just ate a plate of lasagna and 6 chicken wings and a glass of beer that he can’t drive home after dinner?
And if you ARE, hope you have a lot of time, cause you’ll have to go to every restaurant in the world on Friday and Saturday nights.
I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY CALORIES IN A SERVING!!!!! This will curb a lot of drinking immediately.