Fed regulators restrict info on health effects of alcohol.
A new rule issued by the U.S. Treasury Department will continue to restrict truthful health claims about alcohol. The Treasury, which has the jurisdiction over the labeling of alcohol beverages, will not recognize new scientific studies that show moderate alcohol consumption--one to two drinks a day--can decrease the risk of heart disease by more than 30 percent for some people. Disallowing this information to be used for health claims unnecessarily restricts consumer information.The new rules introduce troublesome criteria relating to when a health claim on a label or an ad is misleading. In particular, the requirements for additional disclosure of health risks associated with both moderate and heavier levels of alcohol, as well as categories of individuals who might have a health risk from any alcohol consumption, would have a chilling effect on speech regarding any health claims.
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| Publication: | Consumer Comments |
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| Date: | Mar 22, 2003 |
| Words: | 140 |
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