The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) have today signed a European-wide Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), according to a statement.
The group revealed that the MOU ensures European spirit companies print energy information on the labels of products along with providing online ingredient listings including raw materials used.
Energy Information
The MoU was also signed by the sector’s European trade association, spiritsEUROPE, and a number of other trade groups and companies.
According to the statement, the provision will see that one quarter of spirits bottles placed on the EU market will include energy labels by next year, rising to two thirds by 2022.
Leap Forward
The measures were welcomed by EU commissioner for health and food safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, who described them as “a leap forward” in informing consumers about what they eat and drink.
“Today’s development is hugely positive. The text of the MoU is clear and concise, giving spirits companies the clarity they need to implement the measures within an ambitious timeline." said Patricia Callahan, director, ABFI.
“This MoU is a voluntary agreement recognised by the European Commission and is the product of many months of engagement between industry and the Commission. Signatories have committed to monitoring its impact and effectiveness now and into the future." she said.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Helen Galgey. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
