Follow-Up Statement on the European Parliament's Vote on the Wine Package from the European Health Alliance on Alcohol (EHAA)

04.12.2025 - The European Health Alliance on Alcohol (EHAA) welcomes the outcome of the European Parliament's vote on the Wine Package in the Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Committee on 5 November. MEPs have reaffirmed their support for the scientifically accurate and legally coherent term "reduced-alcohol", rejecting attempts to introduce misleading descriptors such as "low" or "light" for wines containing up to 6% ABV. This is an important win for public health, consumer protection, and evidence-based policymaking.

A Significant Step Towards Clear Alcohol Labelling Despite strong lobbying pressure from parts of the wine industry, MEPs have chosen clarity and accuracy. The Committee's decision maintains the only terminology that does not imply health benefits or reduced risk, and which aligns with established EU Food Law principles.

The result confirms what health experts, clinicians, and consumer advocates have consistently argued:

The description "Low-alcohol" is not appropriate for products still containing substantial levels of alcohol.

"Reduced-alcohol" reflects a factual change in alcohol content without misleading consumers.

This decision strengthens consumer protection and aligns with the EU's commitments under Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and broader disease-prevention strategies.

A Vote that Strengthens EU Public Health Policy The AGRI Committee's decision sends a strong signal that public health considerations should not be overshadowed by commercial interests. It supports major European and international frameworks including:

• Europe's Beating Cancer Plan

• The European Code Against Cancer

• The WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan

• The forthcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, which is expected to include strengthened action on alcohol as a modifiable risk factor

A Positive Result - but Important Work Ahead This vote marks a crucial victory for health information and is a recognition of the importance of accuracy and transparency in alcohol policy. It emphasises the pivotal role of policymakers and politicians in reducing alcohol harms.

Significant challenges remain; alcohol-related harm is a major cause of cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and other acute and chronic illnesses and injuries throughout Europe. Ensuring consistency in risk communication, labelling, marketing, pricing, and availability are vital as the EU advances its prevention agenda in the face of enormous harms and unsustainable costs due to alcohol.

The European Health Alliance on Alcohol will continue to advocate the EU for:

• Mandatory, on-label health warnings

• Accessible ingredient and nutrition information

• Alignment with the EU's wider disease-prevention objectives

• Stronger action on alcohol in the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan

Next Steps - A Clear Call to Action EHAA calls on the full European Parliament to uphold this position during the next phase of legislative negotiations. The terminology used on alcohol products directly affects how millions of Europeans perceive risk, make choices, and protect their health; it is not a minor technical issue.

We urge policy makers to:

• Maintain the use of "reduced-alcohol" in all compromise texts.

• Reject any terminology that could obscure health risks or contradict EU prevention strategies.

• Ensure alignment with the forthcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, where clarity on alcohol risk communication will be essential.

EHAA stands ready to provide independent clinical expertise, scientific evidence, and policy guidance throughout the negotiation process.

About EHAA The European Health Alliance on Alcohol (EHAA) is a coalition of 23 European and national health organisations representing over 2 million medical professionals and healthcare providers. EHAA works to reduce alcohol-related harm across Europe through evidence-based advocacy, education, and engagement with policymakers.

Members of European Health Alliance on Alcohol (EHAA):

European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)

European Renal Association (ERA)

United European Gastroenterology (UEG)

European Psychiatric Association (EPA)

European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS)

European Medical Students' Association (EMSA)

World Family Doctors - WONCA Europe

European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD)

European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN)

European Society of Radiology (ESR)

European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP)

Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME)

European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN)

Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL)

European Society of Cardiology (ESC)

International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM)

European Society of Emergency Medicine (EUSEM)

European Academy of Neurology (EAN)

European Cancer Organisation (ECO)

European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)

Biomedical Alliance in Europe (BioMed Alliance)

European Heart Network (EHN)

European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM)

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Source: ESMO.org