Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. urged the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health & Human Services to carefully review a proposal by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Group to change the recommended maximum consumption of bev/al for men to just one drink a day. It currently is two.
The proposal change, which if adopted by the public would dramatically cut consumption of beer, wine and spirits, was first reported by Kane’s Beverage Week.
In a statement, DISCUS noted that “since its inception in 1980, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have recommended that adults who drink do so in moderation,” and “for more than 30 years, the DGA have defined moderate drinking as up to one drink per day for women and up to two per day for men.”
The recommendation to reduce the moderate drinking guideline for men to one a day “deviates significantly from previous U.S. dietary guidance and is not supported by the preponderance of the scientific evidence, which shows that moderate drinking at current DGA levels is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality,” DISCUS said, adding:
“We are urging a comprehensive review of the process as well as the scientific basis for making such an extreme change to this well-established guidance.”
The statement noted that the “distilled spirits industry doesn’t recommend people drink alcohol for potential health benefits and urges adults who choose to drink to do so in responsible and moderate consumption. We are committed to promoting the moderate consumption of products and encouraging responsible choices about alcohol.”