The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has taken a pioneering step by leading the development of the United Kingdom’s inaugural guides for low- and no-alcohol products. This significant move comes as the government signals an impending consultation on descriptors within this category.
Collaborating closely with its diverse membership, including both producers and retailers, the WSTA has compiled three comprehensive documents. These resources aim to alleviate ambiguity surrounding the marketing, labeling, and production of low- and no-alcohol wines and spirits.
The first pair of guides, comprising the WSTA’s marketing guide for alcohol alternatives and a comprehensive framework for labeling low and no ‘spirit’ alternatives, have been unveiled. A third guide, focusing on low and no wine alternatives, is poised to be released in the near future. These pioneering documents, the first of their kind, concentrate on beverages with a maximum alcohol by volume (ABV) content of 0.5%, specifically marketed towards adults. They seek to mitigate uncertainty prevalent in the industry concerning products falling below the 0.5% threshold.
Addressing the persistent trade perplexities concerning sub-0.5% ABV products, the guide offers lucidity on the appropriate promotion and responsible positioning of these beverages. The second guide, centered on labeling for low and no spirit alternatives, represents the second iteration of WSTA guidance originally introduced in 2021. It advances upon prior counsel, presenting practical resolutions to reconcile conflicting legislative demands.
This comprehensive resource also encompasses best practice suggestions, pivotal dos and don’ts, and recommended legal descriptors to facilitate precise product nomenclature. Illustrative instances of compliant labels are thoughtfully included to serve as valuable points of reference. As the government gears up for consultations, the WSTA’s pioneering guides promise to enhance industry clarity and uphold the principles of social responsibility.
