Potential health impacts of changing the alcohol-free descriptor: evidence review

Abstract

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), which is part of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in England, has launched a public consultation on updating labelling guidance for no and low-alcohol alternatives. It will seek views on options for updating the guidance on the labelling of ‘alcohol free’ and ‘low alcohol’ products (also known as NoLo products). The aim of updating the guidance is to increase substitution of alcoholic drinks with NoLo alternatives among people who drink above low risk levels. The government’s recommendations for how NoLo alcohol drinks may be described are set out in DHSC’s England-only Low-alcohol descriptors: guidance. Its purpose is to support the alcohol manufacturing and retail industries to market their products responsibly, with the aim of protecting the public and informing consumers. This guidance replaced the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 which expired on 13 December 2018. The consultation covers questions on the most appropriate conditions of use for low-alcohol descriptors, including questions about changing the alcohol free descriptor to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) and the labelling of these products.