The Beer Institute has announced a voluntary initiative that its members disclose (no later than the end of 2020) calorie, carbohydrate, protein, fat, and alcohol by volume information on all labels in the form of a Serving Facts statement. The initiative additionally calls for freshness dating and disclosure of ingredients on either the label or secondary packaging via a list of ingredients, a reference to a website with the information or through a QR code. In response, the Brewers Association released the following statement:
The Brewers Association supports transparency in labeling. Our members already invest substantial time in complying with extensive federal regulations so that consumers can make informed choices when purchasing beer. While we appreciate the Beer Institute’s efforts to support additional nutritional transparency, we recognize that the approach the large brewers have taken may not be feasible for smaller brewers, many of whom offer dozens of small scale, seasonal products every year. The Brewers Association has been working separately with the FDA and the USDA to develop a plan for beer styles (rather than specific individual brands) to be included in the USDA Nutrient Database, an effort to help our members prepare to comply with the FDA ruling regarding menu labeling. We will continue to work with our members to encourage voluntary compliance with all existing government mandates regarding labeling.