Government consultation on change to definition of "alcohol-free."

The Government has launched a public consultation on whether to change the existing definition of alcohol-free.

Currently, for a drink to be labelled as alcohol-free in the UK it must contain 0.05% ABV (Alcohol By Volume) or less. This is at odds with other parts for Europe, for example, France and Germany, as well as the United States and Australia, where the threshold is 0.5% ABV. 

The Department for Health and Social Care believes that a higher alcohol-free threshold could see lower and no alcohol products on the market thus encouraging people to turn to drink less. 

As part of the consultation, the Government is also seeking views on measures that can be taken by the drinks industry to stop children and young people from accessing products including age restriction information being placed on products. 

Finally, the consultation also seeks views on how to support people who may be seeking to moderate their alcohol consumption, by providing them with greater choice and more information being contained on labels. 

Those wishing to view or comment on the consultation can do so here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/updating-labelling-guidance-for-no-and-low-alcohol-alternatives