Brussels, 9 July 2018. The Brewers of Europe announced today that it is stepping up its voluntary commitment on consumer information, recommending to all breweries to list ingredients and calories on the labels of pre-pack containers.

Brewers have since 2015 been voluntarily rolling out ingredients listing and calorie information in full accordance with EU law, on-label and online. As we celebrate our 3rd anniversary, we’re more determined than ever to meet consumers’ expectations.

“Today we are taking our commitment even further. I am proud to announce that The Brewers of Europe is bolstering its commitment with a recommendation to all breweries to list ingredients and calories on the labels of pre-pack containers”, said Pierre-Olivier Bergeron, Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe.

The decision to voluntarily provide this information is just one of the +100 responsibility commitments made by Europe’s brewers under the Beer Pledge. This pledge is our 6-year strong commitment to support EU Member States in reducing alcohol related harm.

The consumer information commitment was recently praised by EU Health Commissioner Andriukaitis: “I appreciate the rigour and ambition with which The Brewers of Europe and the beer sector have been committed to providing information to consumers.”

Pierre-Olivier Bergeron, Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe, added, “we are on track in fulfilling our landmark voluntary commitment. We now estimate that by end 2018, no less than 3 out of 4 beers in the EU will label their ingredients and 1 out of 2 beers will label calorie information, per 100ml, the legal reference volume for all drinks, alcoholic or not”.

The Brewers of Europe commitment is about meeting consumers’ expectations. Monique Goyens, Director General of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) said that, “It is crucial that nutritional information and ingredients listings are provided for the consumer on the label of alcoholic products and in conformance with the Food Information to Consumers Regulation (1169/2011).”

The Brewers of Europe believes that, by fulfilling its consumer information commitment, Europe’s brewing sector is providing the right template and meeting consumers’ expectations. We will continue reporting on roll-out and inviting the other alcoholic beverage sectors to follow our lead, in order to ensure consumers, receive understandable, recognisable, comparable and accurate information for all drinks.

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Contact:

Jan de Grave, Communications Director, +32 2 551 1810 or jdg@brewersofeurope.org

Note to editors:

The 2015 European brewers’ commitment to listing ingredients and nutrition information can be found here.

Launched in the European Parliament in 2012, The European Beer pledge is a voluntary initiative by Europe’s brewers to support EU members states in reducing alcohol related harm.

About us: 

Based in Brussels, The Brewers of Europe brings together national brewers’ associations from 29 European countries and provides a voice to support the united interests of Europe’s 8,500 breweries. The Brewers of Europe promotes the positive role played by beer and the brewing sector in Europe and advocates the creation of the right conditions to allow brewers to continue to freely, cost-effectively and responsibly brew and market beer across Europe. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and visit our websites www.brewersofeurope.org and www.beerwisdom.eu.

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