Changes to carbohydrate and sugar claim permissions on alcoholic beverages

On 17 August 2018, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) submitted Proposal P1049 (Carbohydrate and Sugar Claims on Alcohol Beverages) to amend the requirements for sugar claims on alcoholic beverages in Standard 1.2.7 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (Food Standards Code). This article explores the existing permissions for sugar and carbohydrate claims on alcoholic beverages and the context in which these permissions were drafted. This article also explores whether carbohydrate content claims include % sugar free claims; consumer perceptions about the nutritional properties of alcoholic beverages; international comparisons; and the potential impact on the food industry.