Liquor labels in Ireland will have health warnings. Portugal condemns, doctors applaud
At stake is an autonomous proposal from Ireland, where the labels of alcoholic beverages must include warnings for the risk of liver disease, as well as informing about the dangers of alcohol consumption in pregnant women
Ireland will change the labels of wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages to display specific warnings related to the risks associated with alcohol consumption. With the new rules, the products in question will have to meet the following requirements:
- Have a message warning that drinking alcohol causes liver disease and that there is a direct association between alcohol and fatal cancer;
- Have a symbol, in the form of a pictogram, warning of the dangers of alcohol consumption in pregnant women;
- Have a link to the www.askaboutalcohol.ie page
The draft diploma was notified to the European Commission (EC) by the Irish government on 21 June 2022, and the Member State did not receive any objection from the entity during the moratorium period of six months (initially three). After official implementation by the Irish government, the targeted industry will have a period of three years to adopt the new labeling on their products.
according to independent irishthe Public Health Regulation of 2022 allows the application of this measure, however, the news is already generating a conflict at European level between Dublin and the wine producing Member States in Europe.
During the said moratorium period, after submission of the Irish proposal, about eight Member States contested the measure, including Italy, Spain and Portugal. In addition to protests by the sectoral associations of the respective European countries, there was also opposition from the alcoholic beverages sector outside the European Union. On the opposite side, academic and health institutions largely applauded the advanced proposal.
In Portugal, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food has already issued its sectoral opinion unfavorable to the Irish intentions. The Ministry of Economy and Sea, on the other hand, considers that the Irish proposal constitutes “a barrier to the free movement of products in the European internal market”, by imposing new requirements on the labels of alcoholic beverages, not being in compliance with the provisions of the European Regulation “which establishes harmonized rules for the labeling of food products”, he said in a response sent to CNN Portugal.
Additionally, the Ministry of Economy and Sea considers that “the Irish Regulation will affect the Portuguese and European alcoholic beverages sector, introducing additional obligations and specifications, for access to the market in this country”.
Portuguese associations condemn proposal
The Association of Wines and Spirits of Portugal (ACIBEV) considers that the diploma project, in the form in which it is presented, has “a series of serious flaws”. In line with the position taken by the Ministry of Economy and Sea, the sectoral association considers that the draft regulation is an obstacle to trade, harms the European Single Market and puts the harmonization of European standards at risk.
ACIBEV also classifies the draft diploma as “inaccurate and disproportionate”, noting that the proposed health practices “are not supported by scientific evidence”. In the detailed response from the sectoral association, ACIBEV points out that “the Irish government has not yet published any scientific evidence of a direct link between alcohol consumption and fatal cancers or the cause of liver disease”, as suggested by the proposed regulation .
For its part, Associação Cervejeiros de Portugal (APCV) considers the proposal of the Government of Ireland as “a significant, unjustified and disproportionate barrier to the free movement of goods” within the European space. The APCV also appealed to the EC to exercise its right to block the Irish regulation, taking into account that the EC has already publicly announced its intention to present a proposal aimed at the same purpose, standardizing health labeling on alcoholic beverages.
The APCV also adds that the Irish diploma project excludes “other scientific evidence within the scope of a more general framework of benefits and harms of alcohol consumption”, since the association claims that science shows that “moderate consumption of alcohol can be compatible with a balanced and healthy lifestyle”.
On the other hand, the association claims that the measures will mainly impact small and medium-sized operators, who “will probably be able to leave the Irish market”.
CNN Portugal also sought testimony from wine producers regarding the measure announced by Ireland, but was unable to obtain statements as of the date of publication.
According to data provided by the Ministry of Economy and the Sea, national wine exports to the Republic of Ireland reached 6.3 million euros in 2021, placing this market as the “23rd wine customer globally and 12th at community level “. National exports of Portuguese wine in 2021 even recorded an increase of around 39.5% compared to the previous year, added the office.
Studies point to the positive impact of the measure
According to psychiatry specialist Maria Moreno, also from the World Health Organization (WHO), she recognizes and highlights the importance of warning labels on alcohol packages, a position that is part of a global strategy for providing information to consumers. about the risks of alcohol consumption.
In this sense, Maria Moreno understood that “most studies seem to indicate that this measure has a positive impact on changing attitudes” and “behaviors related to alcohol consumption”. This type of measure also seems to contribute to “increasing awareness of the risks of excessive alcohol consumption”. As such, these proposals result in a “reduction in alcohol consumption” and in “heavier decisions”, guarantee the same official.
On the other hand, an expert emphasizes the importance of considering the target audience and the context when choosing the type of message to be used. Even so, “labels with appealing images, messages written by the negative (that emphasize the risks or damages instead of the benefits of a behavior or action) and the combination between written messages and images, seem to be associated with greater effectiveness”, he points out. .
Asked about the possibility of a measure similar to the Irish one being applied in Portugal, the expert is peremptory: “Alcohol consumption is a significant problem in the country, with a great impact on the physical and mental health of the Portuguese”, highlighting for this purpose data from the National Statistics Institute (INE). According to INE, 45% of men and 24% of women “have an abusive consumption of alcohol”, with 2.5% even suffering from dependence on this substance.
However, contrary to what happens in several countries, warning labels on alcohol packaging are not mandatory in Portugal.
“Despite the harmful effects of alcohol, recognition by the population of the risks associated with alcohol consumption for health remains relatively low”, warns Maria Moreno. At the same time, the connection between alcohol and cancer, namely breast cancer, or even the increased risk of depression or sleep problems, are also little known, she says.
For this reason, Maria Moreno points out that one of the approaches capable of increasing the recognition of the health risks associated with alcohol can be through the product label.
Italy considers Irish proposal a “direct attack”
The Italian agricultural sector, represented by the Coldiretti association, described the Irish proposal as appalling and a “direct attack” against the country, noting that the export of wine represents an annual revenue for the country of 14 million euros.
According to the Italian industry association, the green light from Brussels carries the risk of “opening the door to new legislation capable of influencing consumer choices”. As such, Coldiretti considers it “totally inappropriate” to equate the excessive consumption of distilled beverages, something “typical of the Nordic countries”, with the “moderate and conscious consumption of quality products with a lower alcohol content, such as beer and wine”. , emphasis.
On the side of the Ministry of Agriculture of Italy, undersecretary Luigi D’Eramo, defends that wine and beer should not be compared with distilled beverages and tobacco, claiming that public health is not safeguarded with the criminalization of individual products.
“Wine is history, culture… an expression of our territories and is part of the Mediterranean diet”, said the source quoted by the The Guardian. In this sense, the Irish proposal creates a “dangerous precedent”, adds Luigi D’Eramo, a precedent that, if followed by other countries, “is at risk of undermining a leading sector in our food and agricultural system”.