Criticism from consumer advocates
Where alcohol is hidden everywhere
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Some foods contain small amounts of alcohol – often without consumers knowing about it. Information about this can usually only be found in the small print on the packaging. The consumer advice centers want to change that.
When shopping for beer and filled chocolates with eggnog, it is clear that there is alcohol in them. But baked rolls, ready-made pizza dough, marzipan or small breads for hot dogs sometimes also contain small amounts of alcohol – which surprises many customers who want to pay attention to this. It can be found in the mandatory information about the ingredients, which, however, is only shown in small print on the packaging. The consumer advice centers are therefore calling for more conspicuous information.
“Consumer complaints show that many people overlook the indication of alcohol in the list of ingredients,” said Stephanie Wetzel, coordinator of the food clarity project at the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations. “This is a problem for children and people who consciously avoid alcohol.” Foods containing alcohol should therefore be clearly labeled. “Alcohol should also be labeled compulsorily for unpackaged food and restaurant dishes that do not have a list of ingredients,” demanded Wetzel.
Alcohol often in sweets
“Hidden” alcohol is particularly common in sweets, desserts and ready meals, said the consumer advocate. Salad dressings, deli salads and jams also occasionally contained alcohol. In the lists of ingredients, the names sometimes also read “ethanol” or “ethyl alcohol,” as it says on the Food Clarity portal.
The Association of German Large Bakeries explained that alcohol is sometimes produced in the dough itself through the fermentation process. The starch in the grain provides sugar, which yeast converts into carbon dioxide and alcohol. The carbon dioxide then ensures that bread retains its volume and does not come out of the oven as a baked lump of dough. The alcohol is responsible, among other things, for the formation of aroma and a good crust. The measurable quantity is minimal and the goods are intended to be baked. The association emphasized that the labeling in the list of ingredients is sufficient.
No warnings in sight yet
The federal government currently has no plans for new packaging information. The Ministry of Food explained that the labeling law regulated at EU level does not currently provide for mandatory requirements such as warnings. The right of initiative for changes lies with the EU Commission. The ministry welcomes an EU-wide harmonized approach to labeling to prevent abusive alcohol consumption. We will engage constructively in possible discussions.
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment explained that it can be assumed that ethanol from natural fermentation processes is not critical in terms of intoxication-inducing or toxic effects – even when larger quantities are consumed and by “sensitive subgroups” in the population. In the case of baked rolls, it can be assumed that heating during baking leads to a significant reduction in any ethanol content that may be present.
The Ministry of Food pointed out that small amounts of natural alcohol can also be found in fruit juices and kefir, which is usually not noticeable in terms of taste. According to the federal Max Rubner Research Institute, there are no known negative effects of the small quantities.
