Drinks producers step up to reduce alcohol-related harm
The release of the latest Producers' Commitments Report by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) shows signatory companies have stepped up implementation of their commitments to reduce alcohol-related harm.
Brands including Diageo, Bacardi, Carlsberg and Heineken are among the 12 producers of beer, wine, and spirits who are signatories of commitments to contribute to the global target of reducing alcohol-related harm by 10% by 2025.
This is the third annual report following an agreement for the alcohol industry to collaborate in 2012, and the first since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were agreed by governments in 2015.
The report shows 257 underage education initiatives were implemented in 2015, a 49% increase on the previous year, with a significant increase in the number of countries engaged from 57 to 82 countries.
The consumer information website, www.responsibledrinking.org, also launched in May 2015, along with other individual company and industry-supported sites, gives consumers access to full and accurate information about alcohol products so they can make more informed choices about drinking responsibly or abstaining.
Ivan Menezes, chief executive of Diageo, which oversees Smirnoff, Baileys and Guinness, said: "We are three years into the most ambitious initiative our industry has ever collectively undertaken to address harmful drinking and, while we have made good progress, there is still more work to be done. At Diageo, we are committed to doing more."
Casual dining market could be worth £100m to spirits, says Diageo >>
The Pubs Code comes into force >>
Beacon urges bars to expand sophisticated soft drinks offerings >>
Latest video from The Caterer
