A European Commission official has told just-drinks.com that Brussels needs to overcome a political battle with vodka producing countries over ingredients, before it is able to formally table reforms to European Union (EU) spirit labelling rules yesterday (21 December).
"The proposal was already drafted in April, but member states blocked it because of vodka," he said. Estonia, Finland, Poland and Sweden had wanted to restrict approved ingredients to grain, potato, sugar beat and molasses. But this angered drinks manufacturers such as Diageo and now the proposed text includes a "compromise that vodka can also be made from other agricultural products, but these have to be put on the label", he said.
The EU Council of Ministers must approve the proposal before it becomes law.
