WHO Calls for Stricter Alcohol Regulations

Regulation

WHO Advocates for Stricter Alcohol Labeling; Ireland Leads with New Legislation
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently emphasized the urgent need for enhanced regulations requiring alcohol producers to include prominent health warnings on packaging. These warnings should inform consumers about the carcinogenic risks associated with alcohol consumption.​
Echoing this sentiment, the U.S. Surgeon General has also called for similar measures to raise public awareness about the health risks of alcohol.​
Ireland has become one of the first countries to enact legislation mandating that wine producers and importers add labels warning about the increased risk of cancer due to alcohol consumption. By mid-2026, all alcoholic beverages sold in Ireland must display these warnings.​

The new law requires two specific warnings on the back label:​

• A statement that alcohol consumption causes liver cancer.
• A statement about the increased risk of other cancers.​

These warnings must be printed in a specific size, using red font on a white background, which may impact the product’s design and shelf appeal. The legislation has led to significant market disruptions, with some importers threatening to cease importing wines into Ireland due to the stringent labeling requirements.​

The Drinks Business, February 14, 2025 
Beverage Daily, February 18, 2025​