Federation members pioneers in package labelling

Package labelling for brewery beverages will change on 13 December 2014, when the European Union’s new Food Information for Consumers Regulation begins to be applied. These changes will be seen gradually, as any warehoused products that were manufactured before mid-December may be sold with old-style labelling.

The new labelling will highlight allergens and ingredients that cause hypersensitivity, and there are also new regulations governing text size and nutritional values. For brewery beverages, this means that grains and any sulphites must be highlighted. The minimum size for the text is 1.2 mm.

In addition to energy content, nutritional values will include the quantities of fat, saturated fats, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and salt. The labelling of alcoholic beverages is voluntary and may be limited to energy content. However, if a nutritional claim is made either on the label or in connection with sales, then all nutritional values must be marked on the product’s packaging. This is why, for example, light beverages and gluten-free beers are labelled.

For several years already, member companies of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry have been voluntarily labelling all of their beverages with nutritional values.

Voluntary labelling part of social responsibility

As part of its social responsibility, the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry has, since 2005, been recommending that its member companies label the ingredients of mild alcoholic beverages and, since 2008, also nutritional values in accordance with the Food Act. This labelling is voluntary, as the law does not require alcoholic beverages to be so labelled.

“Consumers will still be able to check the packaging of our members’ domestically produced beers to find out how many calories they’re consuming. Alcoholic beverages should be enjoyed in moderation, and it’s good to keep people informed of their energy content. In Europe, it’s unusual to include ingredient lists and energy content on the packaging of alcoholic beverages. When it comes to product information and energy content, the Finnish brewing industry is a pioneer in transparency,” says Elina Ussa, Managing Director of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry.

Additional information:
Managing Director Elina Ussa, tel. +358 (0)45 269 7711
Communications Manager Outi Heikkinen, tel. +358 (0)50 370 8677

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