E-Malt.com News article: Canada: Small brewers fear flattening of profits if new food labelling rules are approved

Canada’s small brewers are worried about bubbling up costs and flattening profits due to possible new food labelling rules, Toronto Sun communicated on February, 2.

The brewing battle has pitted Canadians with food allergies against the companies that make beer in a fight over clearer ingredient lists.

About 1% of Canadians have celiac disease, meaning they are gluten intolerant and can't ingest wheat, rye, oats or barley – a key ingredient in beer. They want all food and drinks to have clear ingredient lists. Others worry about additives like nut and chocolate flavours, which could also trigger allergic reactions.

It could mean huge costs for some small craft brewers.

Steamwhistle, which sells only reusable bottles with the labels painted on, has about $2 million invested in its stock. The bottles can be used 35 to 45 times and some have lasted 10 years, a spokeswoman says.

“They're quite expensive for the brewery and we would still be sorting out old bottles for years to come so there'd be a labour component to it too ... So it's frustrating,” Sybil Taylor said.

Right now, beer labels don't have to list their ingredients, though the beverage must contain certain ingredients such as barley, hops and water. Some companies, like Steamwhistle, already list their ingredients.

But Taylor says the brewery is still concerned their labels might need to be revamped under the new regulations because of wording and font-size requirements.

The Brewers Association of Canada, which represents the companies that sell 97% of beer in the country, says the beer industry should be exempted from the new rules proposed by Health Canada.

A spokesman argues celiacs are well-informed about their allergy.

“It's fairly obvious that beer contains barley,” Andre Fortin said.

A spokesman for Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq says the proposed rules are still in the consultation phase but they hope to present them very soon.


04 February, 2011