As obesity rates rise, Australian authorities are considering mandatory energy labelling on alcoholic beverages to inform consumers about their energy intake. A recent study involving 83 participants in nine focus groups revealed three key themes regarding consumer perceptions of energy labels.

Firstly, there is a general acceptance of energy labelling, with many participants acknowledging its potential benefits in raising awareness of alcohol’s caloric content. However, significant confusion emerged over the terminology used to convey energy information, particularly around the concepts of standard drinks and serving sizes. Participants often struggled to contextualise energy measurements, primarily viewing energy in terms of calories rather than kilojoules, which could limit the labels’ effectiveness.

Furthermore, the study highlighted the risk of creating a “health halo” through nutrition panels, where low or zero values for certain nutrients may lead consumers to underestimate the risks associated with alcohol consumption. Many participants perceived beverages with low sugar content as healthier, ignoring the potential dangers of alcohol itself.

These findings highlight the need to teach consumers about the energy content of alcoholic drinks and the issues with labels. Without a clear understanding, energy labels might not help people make better choices. As discussions continue among regulators, it’s important that any labelling is simple and easy for everyone to understand.

Source: Movendi