FOR YOUR INFORMATION
We share below a number of recent developments. As always, we rely on FIVS Members to apprise us of noteworthy matters. Please contact the FIVS Secretariat with items that may be of interest.
Reports
Alcohol and high blood pressure – The first large study investigating the association of alcohol consumption and hypertension found among adults with type 2 diabetes, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found the more alcohol consumed, the higher the risk and severity of high blood pressure. Light drinking was not associated with elevated blood pressure; moderate drinking with increased odds of elevated blood pressure by 79 percent; and heavy drinking with increased odds of elevated blood pressure by 91 percent.
Alcohol and the risk of obesity – A study of nearly 27 million people in South Korea conducted by the National Medical Center in Seoul reportedly found that male and female adults consuming as little as half a standard drink per day could raise their risk of obesity by as much as 10 percent. Men who drank more than two alcohol beverages (over 24g daily) had a 34 percent increased risk for becoming obese and a 42 percent higher chance of developing metabolic syndrome. Women who had more than two drinks apparently experienced a 22 percent higher risk of obesity and an 18 percent higher chance of developing metabolic syndrome.
Alcohol and risk of dementia – Seven cohort studies from Finland, France, Sweden, and the United Kingdom involving over 130,000 individuals, reportedly found that alcohol-induced loss of consciousness, irrespective of overall alcohol consumption, is associated with a subsequent increase in the risk of dementia.
Labelling
Natural wine driving ingredients labelling – This author contends that the idea that consumers should have access to ingredients and nutritional labelling on wine bottles is being driven by the “natural wine” movement, which suggests that “commercial” wine is unhealthy. He cites a Wine Market Council survey of 1,000 wine drinkers that reportedly found consumers do not greatly value ingredient or nutritional labelling when making purchases.
Sale of imports in Russia – Russian stores are reportedly rejecting imports of alcohol beverages based on legislation that became effective on 26 June 2020 which requires that the place of origin and year of grape harvest must be indicated on labels. The new legislation poses difficulties for cognacs, which result from blends of distillates of different aging; champagnes, which can be mixtures of different vintages; and table wines, which may contain wine materials from different regions. The government body responsible for the implementation of the legislation has reportedly not yet been determined by the government, but the Russian Ministry of Finance has stated that the new law does not apply to cognacs.
Minimum Unit Pricing
Russia – The Russian Ministry of Finance is reportedly seeking approval from the Eurasian Economic Commission to extend minimum pricing to include beer. Minimum pricing for vodka, cognac, brandy, and sparkling wine already exists in Russia. The Union of Russian Brewers reportedly asked the prime minister to support the initiative in August 2020.
Uzbekistan – The Ministry of Finance has reportedly proposed changes to the minimum wholesale and retail prices for alcohol beverages in Uzbekistan effective as of 01 October 2020.
Reducing barley in beer – An assessment conducted by DuPont Nutrition and Biosciences reportedly suggests that reducing the amount of barley that makes up beer could help the environment, reduce costs, and protect barley resources. By using enzymes rather than barley, this study suggests brewers could reduce their energy use by 57 percent, CO2 emissions by 32 percent, water use by 29 percent, and land use by 10 percent.