E-Malt.com News article: China: Warning labels to be put on beer bottles

Chinese customers will see warning labels on alcoholic drink bottles, including beer bottles, starting from October 1 this year, as a new regulation from the state quality authority makes the new labels - similar to those on cigarette packs – compulsory, China Daily released September 12.

Labels such as "Do not bump, avoid breaking" must be attached to bottles containing alcoholic drinks. Those who fail to do so will be punished, Tuesday's Beijing Morning Post reported.

The list includes drinks with an alcohol content of more than 0.5 percent, such as beer, wine and spirits. It is the first time the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) has made this kind of recommendation to alcoholic drink makers.

The AQSIQ also recommended manufacturers paste advice, such as "drinking too much alcohol is harmful" or "alcoholic drinks are harmful to children and pregnant women" on their products.

Though the recommendation is not compulsory, it may help the companies become more conscious of their responsibilities and promote their products in a more sensible manner, an expert was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

Similar health and security warnings can already be seen on some domestic beer brands, including Qingdao and Yanjing. Some drinks imported from other countries have the labels as well.

Bottle security has become a big problem in China in recent years as breakages frequently occur and can lead to serious injuries.

"Adults should know how harmful excessive drinking is," an expert from China's national food industry association was quoted as saying. "Advice may be useful, but the adult's self-discipline is the crucial factor."


13 September, 2006