Popular alcoholic beverages found to be ultra-processed despite health claims

Canned cocktails and hard seltzers are being chosen by health-conscious young people as a safer way to consume alcohol, but new Australian research reveals these products are almost universally ultra-processed, potentially giving consumers a false sense of security and undermining recent declines in alcohol consumption among young people.

The George Institute for Global Health audit of 534 ready-to-drink (RTD) alcoholic beverages sold at Dan Murphy’s, BWS and Aldi found that 98% of products with an ingredients list contained industrial additives associated with ultra-processing, including synthetic colors, sweeteners and flavor enhancers, placing them in the same category as chips and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Despite this, nearly half of those products carried “better for you” marketing claims, and one in three ultra-processed products was labeled “natural.”

Lead researcher Professor Simone Pettigrew said the findings were especially concerning given who is driving growth in the category.

“The irony is that it’s largely health-conscious younger women who are turning to these drinks as a healthier alternative, the very people who would typically limit their consumption of chips or sugary drinks.

“These marketing claims encourage the belief that these products are good for you, when the evidence tells a very different story.”

The research, published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, also found that one in five RTDs was not displaying a mandatory ingredients list, a potential breach of the Australian Food Standards Code. Researchers warn that without consistent ingredient disclosure, consumers have no way of knowing what they are actually drinking.

Pettigrew said the additives commonly found in RTDs may compound the harm. Flavorings and sweeteners that mask the taste of alcohol could contribute to overconsumption, a particular concern among younger women, who are the heaviest consumers of the category.

“Alcohol, which is a carcinogen, is already the primary ingredient of concern in these drinks. When you add ultra-processing into the mix and then market the product as natural or low-sugar, consumers are being given a seriously distorted picture.”

The researchers are calling on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to strengthen regulatory oversight of both ingredient disclosure and marketing claims in the RTD sector.

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Lisa Lock

BA art history, MA material culture. Former museum editor, paramedic, and transplant coordinator. Editing for Science X since 2021.

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Andrew Zinin

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