CSPI surveyed its 8,090 “Action Alert” subscribers regarding the voluntary labeling proposal.  Although this group does not constitute a representative random national sample, the universe of potential respondents was selected because its members have a high degree of interest in nutrition and health issues.  The survey was conducted on the web August 11-12, 2004, using a computer survey service.   It generated 1206 total responses, including 989 (82%) from persons who drink alcoholic beverages.  In our comments below, we will refer to the findings among drinkers, which vary only marginally from those among the entire sample.

1. Do you drink alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, or liquor)?   Response Percent Response Total     Yes 100% 989     No 0% 0 Total Respondents   989   2. How often do you look for ingredient or nutrition information on the label of an alcoholic beverage?   Response Percent Response Total     All of the time 10.7% 106     Most of the time 15.9% 157     Some of the time 41.1% 406     Never 32.4% 320 Total Respondents   989   3. The government is considering specifying a particular format, if companies wish to provide any nutrition information. Most alcoholic beverages contain no protein or fat. Should labels:   Response Percent Response Total     List protein and fat, perhaps as a reminder that they are absent 47.1% 460     Not list protein and fat, perhaps because it's a waste of space 8% 78     List protein or fat only when a beverage contains a significant amount 44.9% 439 Total Respondents   977   4. Should the label on an alcoholic beverage list all the ingredients and additives, as foods are labeled?   Response Percent Response Total     Yes 95.3% 938     No 4.7% 46 Total Respondents   984   5. If TTB’s recommendations are implemented, alcohol producers will have the option of using a standard “serving facts” label or providing no nutrition information whatsoever. Would you be more likely to choose a beer, wine, or liquor that had a “serving facts” label than one that didn’t?   Response Percent Response Total     Much more likely 28.1% 276     More likely 34.6% 340     Less likely 0.8% 8     Much less likely 0.4% 4     It would make no difference. 36% 354 Total Respondents   982   6. TTB’s recommendations will be voluntary. Do you think information about ingredients, calories, alcohol content, and serving size should be mandatory on alcohol beverage labels?   Response Percent Response Total     Strongly agree 54% 528     Agree 35.2% 344     Disagree 7.8% 76     Strongly disagree 3.1% 30 Total Respondents   978

Center for Science in the Public Interest

Alcohol Policies Project

1875 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300

Washington, DC  20009-5728

Phone: 202-332-9110 * Fax: 202-265-4954 * Web: www.cspinet.org/booze

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