CRITIQUE

Local and International Legislation on Alcoholic Beverages

Individual Task: Critically review one local and one international legislation underpinning the
beverage industry.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
LOCAL LEGISLATION
A local legislation underpinning the alcoholic beverage industry in the Philippines is Senate No.
1783 introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. It is an act requiring that alcoholic
beverages carry health warnings on their containers. This act is known as the Alcoholic Beverage
Labeling Act of 2007. The act states that it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture,
import, or bottle for sale or distribution in the Philippines any alcoholic beverage unless the
container of such beverage bears the following statement: GOVERNMENT WARNING (1)
Women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.
(2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery,
and may cause health problems.
This act is concerned with the health and safety of the public concerning the effects of alcohol
consumption. The legislation is complete with its description, purpose, and definition of terms
down to the details of the law and sanctions. This act is simple and easily understandable, and the
purpose of public awareness can definitely benefit the public. Accidents or health problems related
to alcohol consumption is fairly common in the Philippines and this act may help in preventing
those. A few additional lines to label on every bottle would not be that difficult for manufacturers
with the present technology available. However, although the Philippines in general can read and
understand English, it would be better to have translations in dialect depending on where the
product will be sold, especially for local products.

INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATION
The Public Law 100-690 is an act by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America to prevent the manufacturing, distribution, and use of illegal drugs, and for other
purposes. This Act may be cited as the "Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988". Title II under the Federal
Alcohol Administration of this act is about the labeling of alcoholic beverages and is cited as the
"Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 1988". This act states that it shall be unlawful for any person
to manufacture, import, or bottle for sale or distribution in the United States any alcoholic beverage
unless the container of such beverage bears the following statement: " 'GOVERNMENT
WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages
during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) (Consumption of alcoholic beverages
impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.'
This act is very similar to the local legislation for the labeling of alcoholic beverages, only that the
local legislation does not have the line According to the Surgeon General. From the date of

proposal of both acts, it can be seen that the American law was passed first. This labeling act is
stated under an anti-drug abuse act which shows that alcohol is subject for abuse. The purpose of
the act is also similar to that of the local legislation which id for the health and safety of the public.
The International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP) which is a resource for worldwide alcohol
policies provides guidelines in alcoholic beverage labeling, and it states that aside from the factual
information in alcohol labels, there should also be directional information or health warning labels.
This is covered by the both the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 2007 in the Philippines and
the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 1988 in the United States of America. However, as also
stated in ICAP, Although health labeling has been shown to increase awareness among
consumers, it does not appear to have a significant impact on changing behavior. This may not
sound very promising, but awareness is the first step in promoting health and safety.