Frederico Falcão, the head of ViniPortugal, has expressed concerns over the likelihood of the European Union (EU) halting Ireland’s initiative to label wine as a product detrimental to health. Falcão’s remarks come as Portugal and the wider wine industry remain skeptical about the potential consequences of such labeling.
Speaking to the Lusa news agency during a Portuguese wine tasting event in London, Falcão stated, “Unfortunately, we don’t think we’ll be able to stop Ireland’s intention. I’m afraid this will spread to other countries because we’re passing on information to consumers about the risks of moderate wine consumption that isn’t true, isn’t real, and doesn’t have any scientific study behind it.”
In May, the Republic of Ireland enacted legislation mandating that all alcoholic beverage containers must bear a warning label highlighting the health risks associated with alcohol consumption, specifically an increased risk of cancer. These new rules, which also encompass wine, are set to become mandatory as of May 2026.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) commended Ireland’s measure, asserting that “alcohol consumption can have devastating effects on individuals and communities, causing more than 200 diseases and conditions, including seven types of cancer.” It further disclosed that in the EU, moderate alcohol consumption was responsible for nearly 23,000 new cancer cases in 2017, with almost half attributed to female breast cancers.
The Portuguese government, alongside Spain, Italy, and France, vehemently opposed this development in discussions with the European Commission. Expresso newspaper reported recently that the Portuguese government submitted a document to Brussels in August, contending that introducing health warning labels on alcoholic beverages is “inconsistent” and “incompatible” with existing EU regulations on product labeling.
The Lusa Agency sought access to this document, but the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Food has not responded promptly to the request.
The President of ViniPortugal, an organization dedicated to promoting Portuguese wines globally, confirmed the existence of the document submitted during the summer. He emphasized that there is no scientific evidence to justify claims that moderate wine consumption, not excessive, poses risks or leads to conditions like cancer.
Falcão expressed doubts about the EU’s response, stating, “I don’t believe that there will be a response from the European Union, and I very much doubt that the European Union will force Ireland to reverse its decision.” He also raised concerns that if this measure extends to other markets, such as the UK and the Nordic countries, it could have broader implications for the industry beyond Ireland’s market itself.
