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.
Labelling
Europe: MEP call on the Commission to define “natural” food – Thirty-one Members of the European Parliament have signed a letter to the European Commission for Health and Food Safety, urging it to develop a clear definition of “natural” food, as well as legislation to regulate the use of this term for food products. An analysis by Safe Food Advocacy Europe (SAFE) reportedly found that the majority of hundreds of foods labelled as “natural” contained chemicals and synthetic substances.
Japan: New labelling requirements announced for Japanese whisky – The Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association has reportedly issued a new set of labelling guidelines for Japanese whisky to bring greater transparency to the category and to establish rules regarding where the whisky should be made if it claims Japanese origin. The water used must be sourced from Japan. Saccharification, fermentation, and distillation must be carried out in distilleries in Japan, and the whisky must be aged and matured in Japan for at least three years. Bottling must also take place in Japan. The new standards take effect on 01 April 2021 and producers must comply with the new rules by 31 March 2024.
- New Japanese whisky regulations are not binding – Significant regulations for Japanese whisky reportedly have not been in place until now, but the new regulations will apparently not be legally binding. The Japanese whisky industry hopes that some form of labelling will help consumers identify genuine Japanese whisky.
Russia: The Government invites industry to join beer labelling pilot – The Russian government has reportedly created a working group – which will include federal authorities and beer manufacturers, wholesalers, and stores – to develop a process for introducing beer labelling norms. To date, 32 applications have been submitted for participation in the working group, including 21 large manufacturers. On 10 October 2020, President Putin had instructed the government to conduct an experiment on labelling norms for brewing products and low-alcohol drinks.
Trade
France: A Drop in exports due to Airbus dispute – A French trade group has reported that the ongoing trade dispute between the European Union and the United States cost the alcohol beverage industry in France EUR400 million (US$484 million) in 2020. The trade group noted that the pandemic had also contributed to making the year among the industry’s most challenging. Total wine and spirits exports from France fell in 2020 by 14%, and exports to the United States fell by 18%.
Nigeria: 9% of university students may be alcohol dependent – A survey conducted by the author of 1,173 students from six Nigerian universities found that 31.3% had consumed alcohol beverages in the past 30 days, 14.6% were drinking in ways that reportedly put their health and well-being at risk, and 9.1% were apparently dependent drinkers. The author reported that alcohol beverages are available in small, portable packages available to consumers of any age for purchase and that bars are commonly located near schools. The author recommended that all concerned stakeholders, including government agencies, should address problem drinking among students.
Switzerland: One million people participate in “Dry January” – Approximately one million Swiss people – or 14% of the adult population – stopped consuming alcohol beverages during what was Switzerland’s first “Dry January” campaign in 2021. The campaign was publicised nationwide through an app, website, postcards, and social media. Participants reportedly joined for reasons of health (39%), an already-low level of alcohol beverage consumption (31%), and the appeal of the challenge (19%).
Study on terroir’s influence on whisky – A study published by the Whisky Terroir Project has reportedly provided “conclusive proof” of terroir’s influence on whisky, which this article suggests could pave the way for an appellation controlée system of provenance similar to that used for wine. The project’s preliminary findings, published in 2019, also found evidence of terroir. The next step in the project, which will be published next year, will look at matured whiskies.
NOTE: We make no warranty of any kind regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information in these FIVS Alerts; nor do we necessarily support or agree with views expressed or contained therein.