Pernod rolls out standardised nutritional info across its major brands

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 14 March, 2017

Pernod Ricard has committed to publishing nutritional information across its strategic brands by including 'smart' codes across it major labels.

The spirits giant said it already provides comprehensive information on 85% of its websites for its major brands, and the following 15% will go live over the coming weeks.

But the big change is the introduction of smart QR codes on brands such as Chivas, Jameson, Absolut and Malibu, which will take consumers to standardised nutritional tables and make it "easier for consumers make responsible choices".

This follows the announcement made by the European Commission yesterday, which invited the alcohol industry to develop a self-regulatory nutritional labelling proposal.

Today, the French spirits group said the roll-out will enable it to be "even more consistent" in its approach, and said is "unique" in the scale of its commitment to promoting health and preventing alcohol related-harm.

"Digital technology is an extraordinary tool that enhances our interaction with consumers," Alexandre Ricard, chair and CEO of Pernod Ricard, said.

"An increasing number of consumers want clear, useful information about the products they consume. They can now access information concerning all our strategic products any time, anywhere".

Miles Beale, chairman of the WSTA welcomed yesterday's invitation, in which that Commission proposed that the alcohol industry come forward with plans for a "harmonised approach" to improve nutritional labeling within a year.

Pernod's plans have been under way for some time.

They follow on from commitments made in 2013, when they - along with other members of International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), - signed up to be part of a program to promote responsible drinking, including providing better consumer information.

As part of the new roll-out, nutritional information will be expressed per 10g unit of alcohol across all strategic brands.

This will also be put into context by the inclusion of quantities most common to each type of product, to account for different patterns in consumption.

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