Sean Hughes, Account Director, Connecticut Package Stores Association.
By Sean Hughes
Oftentimes, there are things that we automatically assume or take for granted. Whether it is faucets that turn on and off, electricity to be there at the flip of a switch or the food and drinks we consume to be safe to ingest. Living in a first-world country is something Americans, and I know I am guilty of it too, take for granted without a second thought.
A recent highlight was a mix-up of an energy drink that was labeled as such but was actually filled with an alcoholic seltzer. The mix-up of the mislabeled product was then sent to six different states over the course of two days before the problem was identified and fixed.
It has generated significant media attention via TV and print news warning customers, specifically in the states where the misprinted beverages were sent, to be vigilant of mislabeled products. Obviously, this is a serious matter, as intoxicating beverages being mislabeled could be consumed by underaged individuals. The article and news of the mix-up were concerning.
How could this happen and go on for so long? Then, the thought of how many beverage containers are produced every year and consumed by Americans. A quick search shows that 600 billion water bottles alone are produced each year: 600 billion for just water, not counting any other beverages.
In 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled 150,000 water bottles due to concerns of bacteria in the water. That means that .025% of the water was recalled in the United States last year. It is mind-boggling to think of how safe we as Americans have it.
In the liquor industry in the U.S., there is no concern of counterfeit liquor making it to shelves where consumers could purchase the product. The regulation of the amount of alcohol that is contained in a beverage is clearly labeled. The consumer does not have to worry that there is more or less alcohol than what is advertised. So, when the public reads about mishaps in the beverage industry and gets concerned about what they are drinking, you have to look at the big picture.
One thing that is often forgotten is the regulations in place to ensure the safety of the production and distribution of alcohol beverages. Through strict oversight by the FDA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, consumers can rely on the notion that what is on the shelves is safe to drink. Through on-site inspections and testing to the labeling of every ingredient in the product, a person is able to get a comprehensive idea as to the safety of what they are consuming and that it has been proven safe by testing.
While headlines sell stories, they don’t always sell the full truth. In the age of “clickbait” articles and a sometimes lack of attention by consumers to read articles, combined with a 24-hour news cycle, it can be easy to distort reality. Taking a second to think about a topic that isn’t always the most exciting, such as regulation, can help a person understand the full picture of what they are being sold.
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