Wineries Wary of Calorie Count Costs

Jan. 19, 2015 – At the end of last year, the Food and Drug Administration’s new rule requires chain restaurants to list the calories of alcoholic drinks on their menus http://wineandspirits.com/fda-requiring-calorie-count-in-alcoholic-drinks/.  In an effort to get ahead of the issue, WineAmerica, a trade organization with 600 members nationally, has hired lobbyists in D.C. to encourage the FDA to allow wineries to estimate the range of calories for categories of wine rather than specific counts for each wine.

The rule applies to chains that operate 20 or more restaurants and is not directed at the wineries.  However, there is concern that restaurants might ask the wineries to provide exact calorie counts per wine.  To do so would cost about $500 per wine.  The extra cost, as well as time and effort, would be a huge burden on smaller wineries, which could end up making it too expensive and difficult to supply this slice of the market.  Even for the big producers, it’s an added pain in the neck and guess who will end up paying for it?  The consumer, of course.  It is sure to result in fewer choices on wine menus that will be even more dominated by a few big producers than they are already.

What WineAmerica is suggesting is that calories be estimated on alcohol content.  For example, a five-ounce glass of wine with 13 percent alcohol has between 130 and 140 calories.

The FDA rule, which went into effect December 1 last year, is a part of the Affordable Care Act.  It applies to alcoholic beverages on menus but does not apply to drinks ordered at the bar.