COUNTING CALORIES IN COCKTAILS: NEW ALCOHOL LABELS AIM TO CHANGE HABITS

Australia’s after-work beers and celebratory bubbles could soon come with more than just a kick.

Packaged alcoholic drinks are about to carry energy labels, spelling out calorie counts in the same way nutrition panels do for everyday foods.

Researchers at the University of South Australia are now investigating whether the move could make us rethink how much – or how often – we drink.

Putting the calorie numbers on the bottle

In a national survey, UniSA researchers will examine how Australians perceive the new labels and whether the information might influence drinking choices.

In Australia, more than a third of people report drinking alcohol weekly, with more than one in four adults exceeding the recommended Australian Adult Alcohol Guidelines.

In 2024, alcohol was the sixth highest risk factor contributing to the nation’s disease burden.

UniSA researcher and PhD candidate Milana Crevar says the labels aim to improve awareness of alcohol’s links to severe health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, several cancers and diabetes.

“One way to reduce the health hazards of excess alcohol consumption and preventable health concerns is to ensure that consumers know exactly what they’re putting into their bodies, and fit-for-purpose energy labels can help achieve this,” Crevar says.

Cheeseburger calories count in a glass

“Nutrition panels are familiar to consumers because they’ve long been included on food and drink packaging, but until now, alcoholic drinks have been exempt,” she explains.

“Knowing that the calories in a glass of wine are equivalent to those in a cheeseburger or a chocolate doughnut could make people think twice about overindulging."

“The new labelling mandate intends to help consumers better manage their alcohol intake and make more informed decisions about consumption. But the question is: will they work?”

Gathering consumer views

The UniSA survey will capture Australians’ views on alcohol energy labelling, nutrition and ingredient lists, preferred label designs, and whether they believe the changes will prompt behaviour shifts.

Under the Food Standards Code introduced by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Board, labels will include the energy content (per serving and per 100 mL), the number of servings per package and the number of standard drinks per serving.

Crevar says the results could influence recommendations for future alcohol labelling policies across Australia and New Zealand.

“With increasing rates of chronic disease associated with excessive alcohol consumption, there is international pressure to identify ways to initiate change to prevent and reduce the harmful use of alcohol,” she says.

“But with mixed reviews about how the new labelling will work, it’s important that we gather consumers’ views and opinions. This survey gives Australians an important opportunity to have their say and help shape the future of alcohol labelling and public health.”