Alcoholic drinks are contributing to obesity and should come with mandatory calorie counts, the chairwoman of the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) has urged.
Dr Fiona Sim said she wanted to see labels on drinks set out their calorific content in addition to their alcohol content, while restaurant and bar menus should also carry the information.
Writing in the BMJ, she said research has found the public support the move, which is due to be voted on by MEPs tomorrow.
Alcoholic drinks that contain more than 1.2% alcohol by volume are exempt from EU regulations on nutritional labelling that came into force in 2011 covering all food and soft drinks.
Research conducted last year by the RSPH found widespread public support for introducing calorie labelling on alcoholic drinks with more than two-thirds (67%) approving.
"It is impossible to ignore our failure to deal with obesity," Dr Sim wrote.
"Daily, in clinical and public health practice, we see its costs to individuals and society.
"Drinking alcohol is common and, in excess, harmful. To what extent do the calories consumed in alcohol contribute to the obesity epidemic?"
Source: Belfast Telegraph, 29/04/15
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