Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction calls for lawmakers to add labels that help consumers better understand how much alcohol they’re consuming and associated health risks.
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction is calling on lawmakers to add warning labels to liquor bottles and containers to help you better understand how much alcohol you’re consuming relative to the risks.
In a report released Monday, made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada and open to public feedback for four weeks, the centre is recommending labelling be added to alcoholic beverages clearly outlining the number of standard drinks in a container, in addition to health warnings and nutrition information.
The centre argues Canadians need “consistent, easy-to-use information at the point of pour to track their alcohol use in terms of standard drinks,” adding “they also have a right to clear and accessible information about the health and safety of the products they buy.”
The report details the potential health consequences of alcohol use, ranging from colon or breast cancer to heart disease, even in small quantities. The centre is recommending people limit their consumption to two drinks or fewer per week to avoid health risks, with three to six drinks per week marking the range that increases your risk of illness.
(The size of a drink in this context is one 341 millilitre can of beer, coolers or cider with a five per cent alcohol volume, a 142 millilitre glass of wine with 12 per cent alcohol, or a 43 millilitre spirit at 40 per cent.)
Carolyn Hurst, chair of Ontario Craft Wineries and owner of Westcott Vineyards, said the wine industry has long been “advocates of moderation.” While the industry is conscious of the potential negative health impacts of alcohol use, Hurst said adding additional labelling could be an “administrative burden” on Ontario’s wine makers.
“It’s extremely important the industry be consulted on any new regulations or obligations,” she said.
Alcohol policy expert Mark Hicken, president and CEO of Alca Intelligence, said he’s in favour of “labelling information that is factual and that provides useful context for consumers,” including information such as the standard number of drinks in a container.
Jenna Moon – The Star – 2022-08-31.
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