Read on to see why alcohol is exempt from the labeling we see on other foods and beverages.
Walk down the aisles at the grocery store and you’ll notice pretty much everything has a nutrition label.
Ever wonder why alcohol won’t tell you the ingredients or calories inside the bottle?
We have the scoop below.
The first Nutrition Facts label became required in 1994 for products governed by the FDA.
But since alcohol doesn’t fall under the FDA, it was able to skirt around these requirements.
In 2013, the TTB madelabels optionalif manufacturers wanted to include them, but not required.
One major hangup for people is that ingredient labeling on alcoholic beverages is totally optional.
Regardless of nutrition, it can provide peace of mind to know what you are consuming.
An ingredient list would demystify what goes in to the alcoholic products we consume.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram (fat has 9 calories/gram and carbs and protein deliver 4 calories/gram).
The surprising part is how quickly those calories can add up.
Calories may vary depending on ingredients and production processes (and don’t forget the calories in mixers!
However, requiring the label would raise production costs for small-scale manufacturers, winemakers and brewers.
For now, the debate continues and alcohol stays without a nutrition label.
Related:
How Much Alcohol Should You Be Drinking?
