UK: Alcohol-free and low-alcohol beers may be allowed higher ABV percentage

A shift in policy waiting sign off by the next UK Prime Minister will see alcohol-free and low-alcohol beers permitted to increase in strength as part of plans to tempt people to cut down their alcohol intake, without the government being seen as running a “nanny-state”, The Drinks Business reported on July 26.

As the no-and low-alcohol sector continues to surge, new plans would see the UK government widen the net for brands by relaxing the ABV limits currently placed upon products.

The proposal is awaiting sign off from the next Prime Minister, though The Times notes that neither Rishi Sunak nor Liz Truss raised objections when the plans were sent to ministers ahead of formal government sign off.

Current government legislation means that ‘no-alcohol’ products must contain no more than 0.05% ABV, while ‘low-alcohol’ products must contain less than 1.2% ABV.

Under the new plans, limits could be raised to as high as 1% ABV for ‘no-alcohol’ and 3% ABV for ‘low-alcohol’ products.

Matt Lambert, CEO of alcohol social responsibility body and marketing regulator the Portman Group, said:

“The Portman Group’s own research with YouGov at the start of the year shows there is a growing appetite for low and no alcohol alternatives with one in five of those who have tried them say they are more likely to drink those products now than a year ago.

“The research found those who drink alcohol are now also drinking low and no alcohol products on a regular basis typically to reduce their alcohol consumption when drinking socially or so they can drive friends home from a pub or restaurant.”

Chief Medical Officer Chris Witty is said to be pushing the policy to government.

Tom Stainer, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said: “Whereas five to ten years ago most consumers had very little choice in the low-alcohol section, today we are seeing some incredible initiative and innovation in the sector.

“We believe this would make low-alcohol beers more attractive to consumers at the bar, encouraging consumption of lower-strength beers and improving consumer choice.

“The government’s policy aim of encouraging the growth of the consumption of low-strength beers is severely undermined by the existing labelling regulation, which prevents brewers promoting low-strength beers as low strength.”

26 July, 2022