The Karnataka government’s proposal to ask beer manufacturers to declare the sugar content of beer on bottle labels and limit the use of sugar to 25% of the weight of grain malt has angered brewers, who have sought withdrawal of the notification.
Keeping in mind the impact of sugar consumption on health, the state government on August 23 issued several draft notifications intended to amend the Karnataka Excise (Breweries) Rules, 1967, under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965. Brewers have objected to the two new rules proposed, saying they will redefine the standards of what FSSAI defines as beer.
definition of beer
The government has proposed a definition of beer as “a liquor prepared from grain malt containing not more than 25% sugar by weight, with or without sugar and hops, and includes ale, black beer, porter, stout and spruce beer.” Another notification asks liquor makers to declare “minimum percentage of malt and sugar by weight as displayed in the ingredients” on the bottle.
However, seeking withdrawal of these, the Brewers Association of India in its objection to the notifications has said that sugar is used in the brewing process primarily to increase the yield, and the sugar undergoes fermentation and is completely converted into alcohol. Ultimately, there is no residual sugar in the final product, he said.
“The FSSAI definition of beer is that it is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from barley, malt or other malted grains, sometimes with adjuncts such as wheat, corn, maize, rice or other grain crops, and with hops or hop extracts to impart bitter flavor and aroma. Sugar may be added to complete the alcoholic beverage,” the association explained.
Further, it added that Karnataka Excise has a well-defined brewing process and procedures, and all companies strictly follow the FSSAI definition. The association also called for manufacturing flexibility in formulating dishes based on consumer preferences to promote innovation.
The association also expressed fears that forcing brewers to put ingredients on labels “is discriminatory and is tantamount to forcing beer manufacturers to share confidential and privileged information in the public domain.” He argued that this is “irrelevant information on the label and would be completely misplaced.”
Vinod Giri, director general of the association, said, “This will create unnecessary confusion among consumers regarding the use of added sugar in beer, which can cause tremendous damage to the reputation of beer.”
based on recommendation
However, finance department sources said the draft notification has been issued based on the recommendation of a technical committee, including scientists, which has worked on the issue for the last three to four months. “Several samples taken from the market have returned with reports of high sugar content after testing,” Finance Department sources defended.
Sources also said that the limit on sugar content is to ensure that it does not exceed the permissible limits for health reasons. Sources said, “Some brands have been found using sugar for cost benefit. You may get a cheaper drink, but it will not be healthy. Sugar is also found to be slightly addictive. Breweries have been asked to display the ingredients on the labels as sugar is used in beer production.”
