Beer Institute Lauds Inclusion of Calories on Menus in Chain Restaurants

WASHINGTON, DC – Effective May 7, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring chain restaurants disclose calories and other nutrition information for standard menu items on menus and menu boards, including beer. In August 2017, the Beer Institute filed comments with the FDA supporting the requirement that restaurants list the calories for each individual brand of beer, glass or bottle of wine and each mixed drink made with hard liquor listed on an alcohol drink menu. The FDA adopted this recommendation as part of its final rule.

“More than ever, consumers want to know as much information as possible about what they are eating and drinking,” said Beer Institute President and CEO, Jim McGreevy. “The Beer Institute and our members believe providing complete information about calories and other dietary information for each drink will better enable consumers to make an informed choice should they choose to include an alcohol beverage with a meal. That is why the Beer Institute launched the Brewers’ Voluntary Disclosure Initiative where beer industry leaders will voluntarily provide consumers with a serving facts statement, freshness dating, as well as disclose ingredients for all their beers by 2020.”

Announced in July 2016, brewers and beer importers participating in the Brewers’ Voluntary Disclosure Initiative will voluntarily list calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat and alcohol by volume on their beer products by including a serving facts statement consistent with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau (TTB) ruling 2013-2.  In addition, they will provide freshness dating, and disclose ingredients via a list, a reference to a website with the information, or a QR code on the label or secondary packaging.

Beer Institute member companies, including industry leaders, such as Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, HEINEKEN USA, Constellation Brands Beer Division, North American Breweries and Craft Brew Alliance, have agreed to follow these standards by December 2020. Together, these companies produce more than 81 percent of the volume of beer sold in the United States.

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 The Beer Institute is a national trade association for the American brewing industry, representing brewers of all sizes, as well as beer importers and industry suppliers. First founded in 1862 as the U.S. Brewers Association, the Beer Institute is committed today to the development of sound public policy and to the values of civic duty and personal responsibility. For additional updates from the Beer Institute, visit our website, follow @BeerInstitute on Twitter, like the Beer Institute on Facebook, and follow the Beer Institute on Instagram.