Tag: alcohol
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BMA Report Examines Impact of Alcohol Advertising on Young People
The British Medical Association (BMA) has issued a September 2009 report titled Under the Influence: The Damaging Effect of Alcohol Marketing on Young People, which aims “to identify effective ways of protecting young people from the influence of alcohol promotion and marketing.” Led by Institute for Social Marketing Director Gerald Hastings, the report purportedly “confirms that…
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FDA Publishes Draft Labeling Guidance for Beer Made Without Malted Barley and Hops
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the availability of draft guidance titled “Guidance for Industry: Labeling of Certain Beers Subject to the Labeling Jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration [FDA].” The agencies have issued the document “in light of the recent ruling by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and…
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EU Court Issues Ruling on “Bavaria” Beer Designation
Responding to questions referred to it by an Italian court, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has determined that (i) the term “Bavaria,” when used in conjunction with beer, is not a generic term, but rather is a protected geographical indication (PGI) recognized in valid proceedings by the European Commission in 2001; and (ii) beer…
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French Market Study Supports Reduction of Alcohol in European Wines
The French National Institute for Agronomic Research has released the results of a market survey reportedly suggesting that European consumers cannot distinguish between wines with 9 to 11 percent alcohol content by volume and those with 12 to 14 percent. Twelve scientific teams have apparently “demonstrated that producers could reduce the alcohol content by up…
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Traces of Cocaine Detected in Red Bull Cola®; CSPI Seeks Accounts of Negative Experiences with the Product
German officials are reportedly considering banning high-energy drink Red Bull Cola® after a food safety institute in North-Rhine Westphalia found traces of cocaine in the beverages. While the levels found did not pose a health threat, cocaine’s presence in a product requires special licensing. German authorities in two states have reportedly ordered retailers to stop…
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CSPI Urges Congress to Pass Legislation Aimed At Reducing Sodium Levels in Food
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has launched a campaign to halve the amount of sodium in prepackaged foods and restaurant meals within 10 years. CSPI Executive Director Michael Jacobson this week presented the group’s case to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, claiming that “Because it raises blood pressure and increases the…
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EU Bans Import of Some California Wines Due to Protected Names
A European Union (EU) ban on U.S. wines violating rules about the use of terms such as “clos” and “chateau” apparently took effect in March 2009. With strict regulations about the use of words like “Champagne,” “Chablis” and “Burgundy,” the EU has been feuding with the United States at least since 2002, and has ended…
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Consumer Watchdog Criticizes NCAA for Alcohol Advertising Policy
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has criticized the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA’s) policy on alcohol marketing during sanctioned events, claiming that beer was the “second most-advertised product” in the Final Four basketball tournament. CSPI allegedly found that beer promotions constituted 12 percent of all advertisements during the Final Four, but…