BEER THE BEAUTIFUL TRUTH 2017
Media release
Beer producers to introduce nutrition information panels
Industry voluntarily adds nutrition information panels to the back of bottles, cans and packaging
24 February 2017: In a New Zealand first, from today the country’s two leading beer producers will add nutrition information panels to
the back of bottles, cans and packaging, helping consumers to be more informed about what they are drinking.
The Brewers Association, in partnership with two of its members, Lion and DB, has committed to rolling out the voluntary
initiative. Throughout the year, New Zealand will see more than 450 million beer bottles and cans carry information on
sugar, calories, dietary fibre, protein and carbohydrate content. All products will continue to carry standard drinks
labelling.
The initiative is stage one of a long-term category programme, called ‘Beer the Beautiful Truth’, designed to bust myths
and communicate nutritional facts about beer.
Colmar Brunton research commissioned by the Brewers Association found that many Kiwis are not aware that beer is low in
sugar. The truth is that most beer is 99% sugar free.
Kevin Sinnott, External Relations Director, Brewers Association New Zealand, says: “The research shows that Kiwis have
some pretty big gaps in their knowledge about beer. For example, most people don’t know that most beer is 99% sugar
free. Malted barley is one of the key ingredients in beer, and in the brewing process the starch from malted barley is
converted into sugar. This sugar, or sugar from any other ingredient such as wheat, other grains, or natural cane sugar,
is then converted into alcohol by the yeast during the fermentation process. As a result, the finished beer is very low
in sugar.”
“Consumers are keen for this information to be made available. Almost 75% of our survey respondents told us that
nutritional content should be on alcohol products’ packaging. Having nutrition labels on food is especially important to
women, with 83% in favour of labelling.”
“We know that sugars and preservatives are particularly important to consumers and shoppers, so we’ve highlighted these
facts”, says Sinnott.
Labelling transparency was a step towards educating New Zealanders about beer, and supporting them to make more informed
choices, says Sinnott.
As part of the campaign, all the nutritional information included on participating beers will also be available on the
website beerthebeautifultruth.co.nz.
Kevin Sinnott explains that while DB and Lion products will start hitting the shelves soon, the Brewers Association
would welcome other New Zealand breweries joining the category campaign.
“Beer gets a bad rap at times, often due to misconceptions around what’s in it. With nutrition information panels,
everything is out in the open. And we think people might be pleasantly surprised by the beautiful truth about beer.”
ENDS