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How much alcohol in that beer?

New system helps Britons make easy calculation

July 27, 1999 - Producers of some of Great Britain's most popular alcoholic beverages will soon begin adding even more alcohol content information to labels.

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Unlike in the United States, the percentage of alcohol in drinks is already clearly stated on labels. The new system -- which large companies such as Guinness and Heineken beers, Bacardi rum and Johnny Walker whisky have committed to -- will use little bottle- or can-shaped icons to show how many units of alcohol are inside.

The Department of Health, which is promoting the new labeling system, recommends that men drink a maximum of three to four units a day, and women two to three.

An average bottle of wine holds nine units and a 330 ml can of 5% (by volume) strength beer has 1.7 units.

No similar system is planned for draft beer consumed in pubs, however most pubs include alcohol content information on posted beer menus.


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