The Lithuanian government proposes amendments to the Food Law to eliminate terms like "non-alcoholic wine" and instead use a broader term for non-alcoholic beverages that refer to alcoholic drink categories.
In Lithuania, the government has initiated legislative changes to the Food Law that aims to ban the use of terms such as "non-alcoholic wine," "non-alcoholic beer," and "non-alcoholic cider." This proposal seeks to standardize the language surrounding non-alcoholic beverages and instead use a singular term that can accommodate various types of drinks that bear the name of alcoholic categories. The initiative, driven by Social Democrat MP Darius Razmislevičius, reflects concerns over clarity and consumer understanding of these products.
Currently, there are around 20 types of non-alcoholic beverages in Lithuania whose names reference traditional alcoholic drinks, like "non-alcoholic gin" or "non-alcoholic rum." Razmislevičius argues that it would be impractical to enumerate all of these names within the law, suggesting a more streamlined approach that allows manufacturers to introduce new products without each needing to be individually defined in legislative texts. This could foster innovation in the non-alcoholic sector while maintaining consumer awareness.
The implications of this proposal are significant for both consumers and manufacturers in Lithuania. For consumers, it could lead to better clarity regarding the nature of the beverages they are purchasing. For producers, the removal of specific terms could facilitate the production and marketing of new non-alcoholic alternatives, aligning with shifting alcohol consumption trends among the population. The shift seeks to strike a balance between regulatory clarity and product diversity in the growing non-alcoholic beverage market.
