Josh Gordon
Sydney Morning Herald

ALCOHOL companies could be forced to display nutritional information and list ingredients on packaging for beer, wine and spirits as part of an overhaul of labelling laws being considered by the federal government.

Federal and state food ministers have received a long-awaited report on Australia's labelling laws from a panel headed by former federal health minister Neal Blewett before its release this month.

The report, aspects of which are certain to be challenged by the food industry, is believed to recommend an end to an exemption allowing alcohol companies to avoid listing nutritional information on their products.
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It follows concern that consumers are often unaware of the high energy and sugar content of alcohol products.

A submission to the inquiry by the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia argues alcohol should continue to be effectively regulated as a ''food'', largely because its energy concentration is second only to fat.

The alcohol in a standard drink has 290 kilojoules. That does not include the sugar in the drink.

The submission says two glasses of sweet white wine has about as much energy as a plain doughnut.