Tag: Alcohol regulation

Over one in five college students reported mixing energy drinks with alcohol in the past year, highlighting a common misconception that their regulatory frameworks are similar. In fact, energy drinks are not regulated like alcohol, falling under very different and often less stringent legal standards, which impacts labeling, sales, and health warnings.

The modern measurement of Alcohol by Volume (ABV) replaced older, confusing systems like the proof standard, with the United Kingdom making the official switch in 1980. This move marked the end of a long and inconsistent history of measuring alcohol strength, originally linked to a primitive gunpowder test.

In November 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to manufacturers, declaring the combination of alcohol and caffeine in beverages like Four Loko an "unsafe food additive". Following this regulatory action, the original formula was taken off shelves, leading many to believe the product was permanently banned, but today's non-caffeinated Four Loko is legal and widely available.

Standard vodka is almost universally bottled at 40% alcohol by volume (ABV), or 80 U.S. proof. While this is the most common strength, the alcohol content of vodka can vary significantly depending on regional regulations and production choices, ranging from a 37.5% minimum in the EU to over 95% for some specialty products.

According to the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), Mexican law requires tequila to contain a small, specific amount of methanol as a natural byproduct of the fermentation process. While this sounds alarming, the truth is that commercially produced tequila is safe for consumption, thanks to strict regulations and distillation practices that prevent toxic levels.

Following numerous health concerns and widely reported incidents on college campuses, the FDA banned prepackaged caffeinated alcoholic drinks in the United States in 2010. This raises a critical question for many consumers: Is a caffeinated alcoholic drink illegal everywhere, and under what circumstances?

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the average American who drinks regularly consumes an extra 400 calories daily from alcoholic beverages, yet the labels lack basic nutritional information. This consistent omission leaves many consumers asking: why does alcohol never have nutrition facts?