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EU moves closer to counting calories in alcoholic drinks

Health conscious tipplers may be closer to finding out just how many calories they are imbibing as consumer advocates push for EU nutritional labelling on alcoholic drinks in the face of strong industry resistance.

 The European Parliament took a first step last month when it called on the European Commission to draw up legislation requiring such labelling by 2016.

Adopted by 63 of the 68 members of the parliament's health committee, the resolution also calls for labels that highlight the dangers of alcohol for pregnant women and motorists.

It was sweet revenge for Glenis Willmott, a Labour MEP from Britain who steered the proposal through the committee after a first attempt failed in 2011 with what she said was heavy lobbying from the drinks industry.

This time around, Willmott wants to make sure there is no mistake and that consumers get the information they need.

"Consumers have a right to know that a glass of wine has the same number of calories as a slice of cake and that drinking while pregnant can harm your baby," she said.

"This isn't about telling people what to do but giving them the information they need to make informed choices," Willmott added.

Ilaria Passarani, an official with the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) advocacy group, said people need to know alcohol's effect on their diet.

"Most of us know alcohol must be consumed in moderation. However, the scale of alcohol's impact on our weight and health is far less obvious," Passarani said.

"How many people know that an average half litre (around one pint) of five percent alcohol beer contains as many calories as a chocolate bar?" she asked.


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