The rise of clean alcohol
Widespread demand for clean label is finally reaching the alcohol category
Regulation
Clearer and more flexible: India’s 2026 alcohol regulations
India’s new alcohol regulations include mandatory labelling and expanded category definitions, signalling greater consumer transparency and flexibility for producers
From regulatory gaps to litigation: What we know about the infant formula recalls
Manufacturers and food safety authorities are under fire after a toxin was discovered in infant formula batches. Here’s what we know so far
Opinion
Infant formula crisis: Why comms preparedness is no longer optional
Nestlé, Danone and Lactalis are navigating one of the biggest crises in food and drink this year, so what next for the communications strategy?
US drinking guidelines revamped in dramatic shift
New US drinking recommendations now simply state that less alcohol is better
UK teen energy drink ban: Is caffeine really the culprit?
The UK government will consult on banning high-caffeine energy drinks for under-16s in England over health concerns. However, a new study suggests energy drinks may only be indirectly linked to poor adolescent health, so what makes them risky?
EUDR: 5 key traceability challenges for coffee
In a fragmented, complex sector, traceability remains a challenge
IFT First: New tech and innovations to look out for at the food science expo
Ready for the new world of GLP-1 food and drink? Want to keep up to speed with the latest in functional and plant-based ingredients, alternative proteins, sugar reduction tech and much more? Here are some of the innovations set to star at the global food...
UK considers putting health warning labels on alcohol
The government is exploring the idea of mandatory health warning labels and nutritional information on alcohol, as momentum towards similar legislation grows around the globe
WHO pushes for massive 50% rise in soda and alcohol prices: ‘Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have’
The WHO has long been an advocate for taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol: but its latest initiative calls for drastic, measurable policy shifts
UK pledges to ban sales of energy drinks to children
The newly-published 10 Year Health Plan for England commits to banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16
Looming Texas hemp ban bill worries beverage brands
The Hemp Beverage Alliance is urging the Texas Governor to veto a hemp ban bill: highlighting the potential of hemp beverages to provide consumers with an attractive alcohol-free alternative
California’s soda tax war reaches crucial battle in Santa Cruz
The momentum behind California soda taxes came to an abrupt halt in 2018 with the introduction of the Keep Groceries Affordable Act. But Santa Cruz defied the legislation and introduced a new soda tax: an action it is now preparing to defend
‘Brew it fair’: Fairtrade Foundation calls for action on tea
A new campaign puts pressure on the UK government to introduce a new law on human rights and environmental due diligence to protect tea workers
‘Plastic is last century’s material!’ Could the beverage industry leave plastic bottles behind forever?
Plastic bottles remain a staple across the beverage industry. Will it ever be possible to completely transition away from this format; and what alternative formats would take its place?
UK set to extend sugar tax to milk-based drinks
The UK plans to lower the threshold the sugar tax kicks in at: as well as extend it to milk-based drinks and their plant-based counterparts
Comment period extended for new US alcohol labeling rules
The US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is inviting further comments on its new alcohol labeling rules: which could see alcohol required to carry calorie and allergen information
De-escalation: What EU tariff delay could mean for the global wine and spirits trade
The EU has delayed the introduction of retaliatory tariffs on American whiskey in the hope of de-escalating the trade war with the US
The meeting that shook the industry: RFK Jr vs Big Food sends shares plummeting
PepsiCo, Kellogg, General Mills, Smucker’s and Kraft Heinz saw their stock prices tumble as Robert F Kennedy Jr delivered his anticipated ultimatum. Now, these food giants face a stark choice: remove artificial dyes or risk financial and regulatory fallout
Are slushies dangerous for children?
Slush ice drinks might be popular thanks to their cool colors, slushy texture and sweet taste – but do the bright colors hide a sinister side?
Will aspartame be banned?
Aspartame is approved for use in thousands of food and beverage products worldwide, but calls to ban the popular sweetener are growing. Will European Commission proceed with a ban and what would this mean for manufacturers?
Should alcohol carry cancer warning labels?
The US Surgeon General and the WHO are both calling for cancer warning labels on alcohol. How likely is this to happen - and how effective would such labels be?
Booze makers in hot water as financial distress rates rise
Britain’s booze industry is on the brink as rates of financial distress increase among makers, especially smaller producers
Alcohol labels should contain cancer risk warnings, says WHO
A new report from the WHO underscores an ‘urgent need for mandatory, standardized labeling on alcoholic beverages’
Pernod Ricard continues ASEAN digital label drive in Cambodia with Khmer launch
Alcohol giant Pernod Ricard has conducted its third digital label launch in South East Asia with the Khmer-language, tying in with the Cambodian government’s efforts in introducing alcohol legislation to prevent underage drinking.
New US alcohol labeling rules proposed
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau wants alcohol labels to include more information: including calorie and allergen information
FDA unveils proposed front-of-package nutrition labels
Front-of-package labeling has the potential to be ‘as iconic as the Nutrition Facts label’, says the FDA, as it launches its proposals
The debate over US drinking guidelines
US dietary guidelines are due to be updated this year: and the first two weeks of 2025 have seen the debate over alcohol consumption guidelines kick into high gear.
US Surgeon General calls for cancer risk warning on alcohol
The US Surgeon General wants to make Americans more aware of the link between alcohol and cancer: suggesting cancer risk warning labels and revised guidance on alcohol consumption limits.
Carlsberg Britvic deal gets go-ahead from UK competition watchdog
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has cleared the anticipated acquisition by Carlsberg UK Holdings Limited of Britvic plc.
Pressure mounts across Europe to ban energy drink sales to children
Energy drinks have long been under fire from health campaigners: now governments are taking note.
Coffee companies welcome EUDR delay – but ‘time alone is not enough’
Around 80% of the world’s coffee is produced by smallholder coffee farmers - so what do the EU’s deforestation regulations mean for the coffee industry?
Hello Kitty wine taken off shelves in UK
A ‘Hello Kitty’ wine will no longer be sold in the UK after the alcohol industry’s self-regulator said it was likely to appeal to children: acting as a warning to alcohol brands who are tempted to draw on child-like branding or nostalgia.
Tackling wine industry challenges: Europe sets out plan of action
The European Union is the ‘biggest vineyard in the world’ – producing 64% of the world’s wine by volume and 70% by value. But it’s no secret that the wine industry worldwide faces a set of hugely challenging pressures: ranging from climate change to a...
Alcohol labeling: Are consumers getting enough information about what they drink in the UK?
Ingredient lists, calorie counts, alcohol strength and more – are UK consumers getting all the information they want from their alcohol labels?
Fake alcohol: Can alcohol brands ever win the battle against counterfeit goods?
How big a problem is counterfeit alcohol - and what can be done to fight the problem?
Top trends in beverage alcohol
What are the top trends driving the global beverage alcohol market forward - and how can we expect the industry to evolve?
How to spot fake alcohol
Fake alcohol refers to drinks produced illegally and made to look like well-known brands – but these products can be lethal. How can people identify what's genuine and what's counterfeit?
Huel and Zoe in hot water with advertising watchdog over testimonials
The UK’s advertising watchdog took issue with exactly who provided the testimonials for the fast-growing brands' Facebook ads: Steven Bartlett, a TV personality who has a commercial interest in each company.
Huge tax hikes: Vietnam proposes phased 100% alcohol tax rise, 10% for sugar-sweetened drinks
The Vietnamese government has drafted new regulations proposing a phased increase on excise taxes for alcoholic beverages to 100% by 2030 as well as 10% for sugar-sweetened beverages, in attempts to curb overconsumption as well as boosting national income.
UK could ban sales of energy drinks to under 16s
The Labour Party says it will ban the sale of energy drinks to under 16s if it wins the UK’s General Election next month.
How much alcohol advertising do children see on TV?
Alcohol adverts should not be shown alongside programs that appeal particularly to children. But how many alcohol adverts do children end up seeing?
Drizly is gone: What happens next in US alcohol ecommerce?
Uber has shut down alcohol delivery app Drizly: barely three years after it paid $1.1bn for the company. What does this mean for the future of alcohol ecommerce in the US?
Canada extends 2% cap on alcohol excise duty inflation adjustment
The federal government has announced a two-year extension of the 2% cap on the annual alcohol excise duty inflation adjustment, as well as announcing reduced excise duty rates on beer to benefit the smaller brewers.
Scotland set to raise Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol
The Scottish government plans to increase the Minimum Unit Price (MUP) for alcohol by 15p per unit to 65p this year
Gin ‘fingerprinting’ could help futureproof the category
A new technique that takes a chemical fingerprint of gin in seconds could hold 'huge potential' for the industry: allowing producers to create better and more consistent gins; enable regulators to detect fraudulent products; and even help create a...
How to market alcohol-free alternatives responsibly
Alcohol-free alternatives provide a welcome option to the increasing number of consumers who choose not to drink. But there are growing concerns that branding similarities to alcohol could mean that alcohol-free alternatives act as a gateway into alcohol...
Geographical Indicators and Wales: Food and drink producers helped by Welsh Government to acquire coveted accreditations
Be it for Welsh lamb and beef or single malt Welsh whisky, geographical indicators are a vital part of ensuring products are tied to their geographical region. The Welsh Government has provided industry stakeholders with vital support in attaining these...
How can e-commerce retailers prevent the underage sale of alcohol?
Sales of alcohol online are becoming increasingly important: but it’s extremely difficult for retailers and brands to know if they’re selling to underage drinkers. A new set of guidelines from the UK’s Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) sets out...
‘Brewers are bouncing back!’ European data shows rise in beer sales
Beer sales in Europe were up in 2022, beating 2021 and 2020 levels but still not yet reaching pre-COVID levels of 2019.