Non-Alcoholic Beer Benefits<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
A common form of low alcohol beverages is non-alcoholic beer. The market for these products has grown massively in recent years – Waitrose supermarket saw a 29% increase<\/a> in sales on non-alcoholic beers. The demand continues to grow as people make the change permanently, or simply choose to drink non-alcoholic beers alongside alcoholic ones to cut back. There are many benefits to drinking them over a higher alcohol beverage, such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is worth noting that whilst non-alcoholic beer is certainly better for your health than its alcoholic counterpart, it can still contribute to liver damage. It can also be dangerous to those suffering from pancreatitis. Since most alcohol is processed through the liver, even the small amount of alcohol in a non-alcoholic beer can cause further damage for those who are already suffering from issues with their liver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is essentially impossible for non-alcoholic beer to make you intoxicated, this is because of how small the ABV percentage is versus how quickly the body can process the alcohol – your body processes it almost as quickly as you drink it so your blood alcohol level cannot build up to a point where you feel drunk. However, it is important to remember that, even though non-alcoholic beer cannot strictly speaking get you drunk, your liver still has to process the alcohol that these drinks contain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important to remember that there are key differences between alcohol free and low alcohol drinks – namely this is the ABV percentage. In the UK, alcohol free refers to no more than 0.05% ABV and low alcohol is no more than 1.2% ABV. Whether your reason for drinking low alcohol or alcohol free drinks, you should always check the label to decide which one is right for you. However, across Europe and in the USA, \u2018alcohol-free\u2019 means anything under 0.5% so you must be sure to check labels accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n Consider our Food Labelling Regulations training course<\/a> to find out more on food labelling information and requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Opting for low alcohol or alcohol free drinks is something many would now consider. Almost a quarter<\/a> (23%) of those who drink alcohol said they would consider switching some of their drinking to low alcohol or alcohol free options in the next 6 months. There are many reasons for this such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many different types of alcohol free and low alcohol drinks on the market. If you choose to drink them, you will not be short of options. More innovation, time and effort than ever is going into the production of low alcohol drinks, so that they taste just as good as their alcoholic counterparts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many options for you to choose from such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is clear to see that there is no shortage of options when it comes to low alcohol options, and many of these have sprung into popularity in recent years – but why this sudden care for low or no alcohol drinks?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BBC <\/a>reports new research from Alcohol Change<\/a> who saw that, when in lockdown, one in five people (21%) in the UK increased their alcohol intake. However, this stat is contrasted by the fact that the same report showed that nearly one in three (35%) reduced their consumption of alcohol or completely stopped drinking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People are also increasingly aware of and favouring low alcohol drinks as they become more aware of their health – both short-term and long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we have pointed out, there are many options for those who wish to drink low alcohol drinks and whilst this is of course a good thing, it’s important that you know what to look for on labels when selecting your drinks, how different labels may vary outside of the UK and how you should label alcohol free and low alcohol products. <\/p>\n\n\n According to The Food Labelling Regulations 1996<\/a>, the definitions and key labelling requirements to remember when looking at the labels for alcohol free and low alcohol products are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A beer and\/or wine producer can have some leeway when producing and subsequently labelling their products. The tolerance depends on the declared volume of the item:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For further guidance on low alcohol descriptors click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n So long as you stay in the UK, the above guidelines are the only ones you need to remember. However this does not stay the same throughout EU regulations. Across Europe and the USA, \u2018alcohol free\u2019 means anything under 0.5%, so you must be sure to check the labels of drinks wherever you go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before Brexit, this meant that an Alcohol free beer made in Germany for example, could be sold in the UK at 0.5% because of EU trading regulations. However, due to UK laws, an alcohol free beer made in the UK has to be no more than 0.05%. Post-Brexit, this law is still retained and applies for now – due to \u2018mutual recognition\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding what you are drinking is always important, whether it be for health reasons or convenience, and the labelling of products is a key way for you to understand and determine what you buy and consume. Whilst it is advised that alcohol brands add approved drinking responsibility messages and pregnancy warning messages to their products, this is not a legal requirement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful in determining the differences between alcohol free and low alcohol drinks, some different types and brands that you can try and the benefits of doing so. Perhaps you are wanting to stop drinking, or even just cut back – this article can help you better understand where to start. For any more information, feel free to get in touch. High Speed Training offers a wide variety of <\/em>courses<\/em><\/a> and <\/em>resources<\/em><\/a> that can help.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Food Labelling Regulations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Licensing Law Awareness Training Course<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A Guide to the Different Types of Substance Abuse<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cellar Cleaning and Maintenance Schedule for Busy Pubs and Bars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Essential Tips for Tracking Your Bar Wastage: Free PDF Download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Refusal of Sales Log \u2013 Why do I Need One?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A3-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIs Non-Alcoholic Beer Bad for Your Liver?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat are the Differences Between Alcohol Free and Low Alcohol Drinks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"expert](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/expert-tip-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/div>\nWant to learn more?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A1-1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nExamples of Low Alcohol and Alcohol Free Drinks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A2-1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow to Label Alcohol Free and Low Alcohol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A4-1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAlcohol Labelling Requirements <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFurther Resources:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n