WSTA launches Low and No labelling guidance

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has produced a set of guidelines for the labelling of low and no alcoholic drinks as the category continues to grow.

The guidelines have been developed in partnership with the WSTA’s primary authority trade standards partners at the behest of both retailers and producers.

They have also been designed to complement the existing – as well as any potential future additions to – Low Alcohol Descriptors Guidance produced by the UK Department pf Health and Social Care.

The guidance aims to, “establish acceptable legal names, marketing text and general labelling requirements for low and no alcohol drinks.

“This will help ensure clarity and certainty for producers that they are labelling and marketing their products in the correct way.”

It will also, it is hoped, boost consumer confidence in the category and help them make informed purchasing decisions.

Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA, said: “There has been a huge amount of innovation and product development across the low and no alcohol category in recent years. Confusion – for producers and for consumers – led to a request of the WSTA to pull together comprehensive advice. Along with our Primary Authority partners, we have produced this new guide to help both producers and consumers.

“Many of our members are making it easier than ever for us to choose a lower-alcohol, or no alcohol alternative, without compromising on taste or quality. Our new guidance will help producers label and market their products with greater confidence, and will help promote clear, accurate and consistent labelling across the category, boosting consumer confidence.” 

More information can be found on the WSTA website, here.