Report on Highly Sweetened Pre-Mixed Alcoholic Beverages

REPORT ON HIGHLY SWEETENED PRE-MIXED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Report of the Standing Committee on Health Bill Casey, Chair JUNE 2018 42nd PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION Published under the authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons SPEAKER’S PERMISSION The proceedings of the House of Commons and its Committees are hereby made available to provide greater public access. [...] The parliamentary privilege of the House of Commons to control the publication and broadcast of the proceedings of the House of Commons and its Committees is nonetheless reserved. [...] Finally, the Committee heard that alcoholic beverages are subject to certain labelling requirements under the Regulations, including the common name of the product, quality and alcohol by volume.9 However, these beverages are exempt from the nutrition labelling requirements for other foods under the Act.10 Alcoholic beverages are also subject to the general prohibitions against the deceptive marke [...] STEPS TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHLY SWEETENED PRE-MIXED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES The Committee heard that both the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec have already taken steps to address the health and safety risks posed by highly sweetened alcoholic beverages. [...] Karen McIntyre, Director General, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Department of Health, Health Canada issued a notice of intent on 19 March 2018 outlining a regulatory proposal to amend the Food and Drugs Act and the Regulations to restrict the amount of alcohol in these types of products.46 She explained that the notice of intent seeks feedback from stakeholders on the followin